The chances of one of your employees making an employment tribunal claim against you just got significantly higher.

Amanda Chadwick talking to AEMT members on Employment Law at the AEMT AGM

Delivering a powerful message about the importance of employment law strategy within the business, Amanda Chadwick opened our eyes to the pitfalls of non-compliance at June’s AGM. The message was compelling, but members are not alone. In the first of a series of Journal articles, Croner navigate you through this complex area of company law and employment legislation.

On Wednesday 26th July 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that tribunal fees are unlawful and a barrier to justice, abolishing them with immediate effect. As a result of this ruling, if an employee feels that you, as an employer, have treated them unfairly, there is nothing to stop them making a claim against you, which could have a devastating impact on your business. You need to act now to protect yourself and your organisation, especially when considering that all tribunal judgements are now published publically.

Background

After a court battle between UNISON and the Government, the Supreme Court has now ruled that Employment Tribunal fees are unlawful. The court said that the high level of the fee was stopping people from getting the justice they deserve after being treated unlawfully by their employer.

Government Took Immediate Action

Immediately after the ruling, the Government announced that Employment Tribunal fees were to be removed. This means that claimants are now able to take their employer to Tribunal for free. The Government also confirmed that everyone who has paid a fee will be refunded.

Impact on Employers

It is likely that the number of claims made to Employment Tribunal will increase because claimants no longer need to pay. The number of ‘have a go’ claims from employees who wish to try their luck in Tribunal may well increase.

This means employers need to be sure that their workplace practices are watertight, and leave no room for dispute. Employers should also consider their risk in relation to actions taken within the last three months, as this is the time limit on making a claim to Tribunal.

Specialist Employment Tribunal Support

With unparalleled experience in the industry, Croner are able to provide comprehensive employment law and employment tribunal support, from start to finish.

AEMT Member Benefits from Croner

From reviewing and updating employment documentation, to advising on the correct policies and procedures to implement, Croner offer leading support needed for a proactive approach.

In the event of a tribunal, Croner have a successful resolution rate of over 85%, and handle in the region of 1,000 claims every year, which means that you can rest assured that your case will be supported from beginning to end.

As an AEMT member Croner will take your call and offer guidance to set you on the road to complete peace-ofmind, they’ll give you an appraisal of your specific situation and if needed, offer additional services to ensure your business is never put at risk.

If you don’t know how to contact Croner as a member, please contact the secretariat on 01904 674 899 or email admin@aemt.co.uk§