Employment tribunal cases last year rose by 15%, legal advisors warn employers to fortify their defences
As the number of employment tribunals reached new heights, advisors at Mace & Jones are warning employers to fortify their legal defences.
Cases brought to tribunals in the last year rose by 15% to a total of 132,577, with the biggest increase – 155% - in equal pay claims.
Figures published by the Employment Tribunal Service also include age discrimination for first time, with a total of 972 claims brought since the legislation came into force in October 2006.
Mace & Jones employment law specialist Ross Meadows pointed out that one reason for the rise was the large number of equal pay claims in local authorities and the NHS and the implementation of ‘single status’ agreements throughout the public sector. There are currently 17,000 equal pay claims in the pipeline, many of them achieving a high profile as they set new precedents – and lead to huge payouts by employers.
“Perhaps the UK is becoming a more litigious society in which individuals are more likely to take a grievance through a legal process,” said Ross.
“Also, the intention of the 2004 Dispute Resolution Regulations was to reduce the number of claims brought before employment tribunals – and this has not had the desired effect.
“The report from Michael Gibbons on the efficacy of these regulations has recommended repealing the statutory dismissal and grievance procedures and providing mediation services to reduce the number of claims brought.
Meadows advised employers to take a proactive approach to prevent claims by staff.
“Employment policies and procedures must not be left on the shelf to gather dust – they should be regularly updated and staff should be involved in the process.
Ross Meadows, Mace & Jones employment law specialist
“Employment policies and procedures must not be left on the shelf to gather dust – they should be regularly updated and staff should be involved in the process.
“Organisations need to strengthen their legal defences – preventing a claim is by far the easier and cheaper option.”
The Employment Tribunal Service report revealed:
Total Tribunal Claims up by 15.2% to 132,577
Total Unfair Dismissal Claims up by 6.4% to 44,491
Total Sex Discrimination Claims up by 97.6% to 28,153
Total Race Discrimination Claims down by 7.9% to 3,780
Total Equal Pay Claims up by 154.9% to 44,013
The Employment Tribunal Service report revealed:
Total Tribunal Claims up by 15.2% to 132,577
Total Unfair Dismissal Claims up by 6.4% to 44,491
Total Sex Discrimination Claims up by 97.6% to 28,153
Total Race Discrimination Claims down by 7.9% to 3,780
Total Equal Pay Claims up by 154.9% to 44,013
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