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New rules aimed at reducing the number of employment tribunals have come into force. Staff wanting bring a case of unfair dismissal or discrimination now have to first notify the conciliation service Acas to see if the dispute can be resolved. Another change sees employers facing fines if they lose a case at tribunal. Ministers said the changes would help avoid "stress, time delays and excessive costs". Previous government measures include the introduction last year of fees for workers looking to take their employers to tribunal.
'Welcome incentive'
This led to a 79% fall in the number of applications but was strongly criticised by trade unions.
Under the new rules, which have come in at the start of the 2014/15 tax year, staff or employers will be required to consult Acas before having access to a full tribunal. Acas, which stands for Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, was set up to improve employment relations and prevent tribunals.....Read more here
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Acas says the service will particularly benefit smaller companies that cannot afford the costs of a tribunal
Companies could face a spate of employment claims from disgruntled staff because of new rules intended to save businesses time and money, say employment lawyers. An early conciliation service for anyone considering an employment tribunal claim is being launched on Monday by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), offering professional help to achieve agreement between staff and employer.
Acas says the service, which becomes mandatory on May 6, will particularly benefit smaller companies that cannot afford the costs of a tribunal or do not have comprehensive HR policies. Any employee with a complaint - ranging from a dispute over holiday pay to unfair dismissal or discrimination - can alert Acas by filling in a simple online form. The organisation will then contact the company concerned to see if an agreement can be reached within a month without recourse to a tribunal. The chairman of Acas, Sir Brendan Barber, said: “We estimate the average cost to an employer of going to tribunal is £3,700 and it lasts four days.....Read more here