ACAS report suggests a bleak outlook

[Employment Law Clinic]

In a recent press release, ACAS - the Advisory, Conciliation & Arbitration Service - warned that workplace tension is continuing to rise, leading to a sharp increase in the number of employees taking claims to employment tribunals. This has led to a 22% in unfair dismissal conciliation cases - bucking the trend of the past two years where there had been a decrease in these cases - along with other employment tribunal claims increasing, and advice being sought on redundancy increasing by nearly three quarters.

Ed Sweeney, Acas Chair commented:

"The figures in this report underline the strain that businesses and individuals have had to face in the last year.

Our helpline – which acts as a barometer for the state of the UK workplace – has seen a huge rise in demand for advice on redundancies. In the face of these challenges, our focus has been on getting the right advice to businesses and employees so that they can ultimately save time, money and stress."

Observing that most HR specialists are fairly new, Ed Sweeney also gave warning that HR staff could have a tough time on their hands.

Advice from the HR industry is for employers to ensure their policies & processes are up to date and properly applied. And in instances where a redundancy situation is a possibility, employers need to ensure they follow all appropriate procedures, and meet their consultation obligations in full.


Karl Limpert
Employment Law Clinic

[UK Business Network]

This is why I love this forum, there is such a diversity of users here with info in all areas needed, i am still a one man band, but sure others on here will appreciate this thread and you taking the time to post this.

And hello by the way Karl!

[UK Business Network]

This is why I love this forum, there is such a diversity of users here with info in all areas needed, i am still a one man band, but sure others on here will appreciate this thread and you taking the time to post this.

And hello by the way Karl!

[NikkiPilkington]

Just shows that the recession is affecting businesses from all sides...

[Employment Law Clinic]

Apparently, some of this increase in employment tribunal activity could be justified!

Premierline Direct report that over a third of businessses were worried they hadn't followed the correct procedures - not surprising when the next stat in their press release suggests 37% of small businesses did not seek legal or HR advice beforehand.

Redundancies are never a pleasant matter to deal with, but they can be a relatively simple, quick & cheap way of keeping costs down - particularly for small businesses - and if done properly, they could influence the survival of the business.

Fear of a claim for unfair dismissal (a badly handled redundancy would normally fall into this criteria) is a legitimate concern for any business, but as seen by the ACAS report, many cases can be settled before a full tribunal hearing, and even in the worst case scenario of a full hearing, the costs saved in employee's wages (if the dismissal is done properly - when the case should normally be successfully defended) would often be significantly more than paying for the cost of defending a claim (not all legal services - or at least not the Employment Law Clinic - charge ridiculous fees for their professional services).


While I'm here, I should say hello to Chris & other members of the forum. I joined the forum following a Twitter invite, so cautious of what to expect & whether I intended to stay, I never got around to introducing myself. A good forum though, so happy to stick around & contribute when I can. Might even update my profile & signature, and take out full membership soon...



Karl Limpert
Employment Law Clinic

[UK Business Network]

Pleased to meet you Karl, and yes you should defo join, I think its invaluable so far and I am not even a month in!

[Employment Law Clinic]

Thanks Chris, I'll get my status on here sorted soon.

In the meantime, for those businesses considering redundancy, there's a good article on the Law Donut
too about why it should be handled in an appropriate manner.

(I had intentions of linking to this in my last post, but couldn't remember where I'd read it... or even if it was something I'd written - it's not, but I think I have an article on redundancy somewhere, although maybe just in draft; saved some effort now.)


Karl Limpert
Employment Law Clinic

[wizzardsblog]

Originally Posted by EMBN & Kip FX Design

This is why I love this forum, there is such a diversity of users here with info in all areas needed, i am still a one man band, but sure others on here will appreciate this thread and you taking the time to post this.

And hello by the way Karl!

It's sooo good you had to say it twice