Are you an employer dealing with a disgruntled member of staff? Have you been unfairly dismissed or have the terms of your contract been breached? Do you just need someone to talk to who can help you through the red tape?
Earlier this month the Government announced changes it wants to make to simplify employment law reducing red tape, saving money for businesses and avoiding often unnecessary court costs and expensive payouts.
Edward Davey, employment relations minister, detailed the plans during a speech at the Institute of Economic Affairs on May 5th.
He said: “The areas we are reviewing are priorities for employers. We want to make it easier for businesses to take on staff and grow.
“We will be looking carefully at the arguments for reform. Fairness for individuals will not be compromised but where we can make legislation easier to understand, improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy we will.”
Hemel based employment law expert, Ian Tottman, from Pickworths Solicitors, has now qualified as a workplace and employment mediator and is one of Hertfordshire’s only specialists in this field. He aims to encourage businesses to get in touch during the early stages of disputes to avoid escalating costs.
He says: “Employment tribunal figures recently showed a 50% year on year increase in the number of cases going to tribunal with the largest impact coming from unfair dismissal, redundancy and breach of contract claims.
“Just under 1/4 million cases went through the UK employment tribunal system last year. This cannot continue because it costs into the millions for businesses who are already struggling financially.
“Mediation is much more likely to increase in popularity as a way to settle disputes more easily and quickly within the workplace without the need for a tribunal. In some cases it has just taken a group of people to sit around a table and get their heads together. Often, just an apology at the outset can start the ball rolling. It’s about getting people to open up and manage their emotions.
“Whatever the compensation reforms, there will still remain a financial incentive to bring a claim. If claims are really speculative, it would be better to focus on weeding out those claims at an early stage.”
Ian has the skills needed to deal with ongoing employment relationship disputes and post termination disputes.
He adds: “I am excited at having achieved this qualification in this important and expanding area and look forward to being able to use my skills to resolve disputes between employers and employees”
Katja Hall, chief policy director at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), adds: “A review of employment law is long overdue. Workplace relationships have changed dramatically over the last decade, with employers and employees engaging in a more flexible, personalised way, and it is time the law reflected this.
“The government is right to look at ways of reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, because this will help free them up to create jobs and drive growth.”
Notes for information:
The Employment Act 2008 implemented in 2009 brought in a new framework for employee relations in the workplace and encourages employers to pursue early resolutions for workplace disputes and the level of organisations embracing the concept of mediation is increasing.
The new ACAS code encouraged employers, employee representatives and employment lawyers to commission more mediation cases.
Then in January 2011 the government began consultation into resolving workplace disputes to consider measures to achieve more early resolution so that parties can resolve their own problems, in a way that is fair and equitable for both sides, without having to go to a tribunal hearing.
The review will begin this year. The government wants to ensure that the regulations are fit for purpose, and legislation will not necessarily be the route to implement any change if there is a case for reform.
For more information on mediation for workplace disputes contact Ian on 01442 508623 or email ian.tottman@pickworths.co.uk
