Employment tribunal cases have increased by 50% in five years, according to a survey by the EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.
Last year alone the number of cases handled on behalf of its 6000 members increased by 3% to 2206 cases, compared with 1450 cases handled by EEF in 1998 when membership was at the same level.
The survey also showed that 27% of claims were withdrawn by the applicant for no financial or other return before reaching a hearing; 78% of claims heard by the tribunal were won by the employer, whilst average settlements and tribunal awards were just under £5500.
“There is a rising tide of employment litigation which is benefiting nobody in the workplace, certainly not employers, whilst employees are not securing significant victories,” said EEF Director of Employment & Legal Affairs, Peter Schofield.
He also warned that the new dispute resolution procedures, due to be introduced in October, will do little to ease the problem: “The Government’s forthcoming Dispute Resolution Procedures will not, by themselves, help and could make the situation worse.”
“The message from these figures is that all parties – including Government, ACAS, employers’ organisations and trade unions – must redouble their efforts to ensure more workplace disputes are resolved in the workplace.”
