Knock-on costs of tribunal fees could outstrip savings

[charitynjw]

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/kno...29%2F07%2F2013



Monday 29 July 2013 by Kathleen Hall

Costs resulting from the introduction of tribunal fees could outstrip the annual estimated savings of £10m, employment lawyers and unions have warned.
From today workers taking on employers in tribunals will face fees of up to £1,200.
The Ministry of Justice was not able to provide an estimate for how many tribunal cases will be dropped as a result of the changes, but employment lawyers have suggested it could lead to a 25% fall in cases.
Elizabeth George, barrister in the employment team at Leigh Day, claimed the changes will cause chaos in the tribunals system due to a lack of preparation.
She said: ‘The introduction of fees provides a greater security for bad employers to dismiss unfairly because they rightly believe claimants will be deterred from challenging the unfairness through a tribunal claim.
‘While that will save tribunal administration costs there have been countless studies that show the cost to the state of people losing their employment in terms of state benefits and the drain on health services.’
Plans to waive fees for people on low incomes will affect just a small minority of individuals, she said.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[bluebottle]

Re: Knock-on costs of tribunal fees could outstrip savings

I find myself agreeing with Elizabeth George. The trouble with our elected representatives, in Westminster, is that they all too often look West, towards the USA, where bad employment practices are rife, for solutions as to how to resolve employment and industrial relations disputes in the UK.

[charitynjw]

Re: Knock-on costs of tribunal fees could outstrip savings

I find myself agreeing with Elizabeth George. The trouble with our elected representatives, in Westminster, is that they all too often look West, towards the USA, where bad employment practices are rife, for solutions as to how to stomp all over, or completely ignore/manipulate employment and industrial relations disputes in the UK.

Sorry bb, for altering your post.But the UK has a sorry history re employment relations - still a very master-servant attitude.
Remember how the UK had to be brought kicking & screaming to acceptance of the Working Time Directive - the last in Europe to do so!

[bluebottle]

Re: Knock-on costs of tribunal fees could outstrip savings

Sorry bb, for altering your post.But the UK has a sorry history re employment relations - still a very master-servant attitude.
Remember how the UK had to be brought kicking & screaming to acceptance of the Working Time Directive - the last in Europe to do so!

No, you're perfectly right to make the amendment you have, Charity, as it's absolutely true. The UK does need to actively discourage the master-servant attitude.