How to protect your business against the costs of an Employment tribunal

With the average unfair dismissal award now costing £8,000 you cannot afford not to deal with your employee problems seriously. Not only does a successful unfair dismissal claim hit your pockets financially with award settlements and legal costs but it also costs you management time in preparing for and defending a claim and also may cost you the reputation of the Company.

There are many simple steps you can take to help reduce or eliminate ex employees from being successful in making a claim against you. Aside from having a fair reason to dismiss an employee, you must be able to demonstrate that fair procedures were followed with any discipline or grievance issue. Employment Tribunals will judge the fairness of a dismissal against the standards set out in the ACAS Code of Practice – Discipline and Grievance.

Different types of evidence will also support your case in defending a claim and it is therefore vitally important that records are kept, not only to assist with helping you achieve a fair and accurate decision but these records will provide proof that the evidence is reliable and factual. Documents such as terms and conditions of employment, minutes of meetings, witness statements and copies of letters confirming disciplinary action or performance plans can help with this.

Training your managers in these simple steps not only can save you time and money in the long term but also help promote your business as a fair and reputable employer.

Would you like to gain an understanding of your legal obligations towards your employees?

Whether you employ one person or several hundred people your obligations towards your employees and their employment rights remain the same.

Employment litigation can be very costly to a business with an average unfair dismissal claim costing employers £8,000 in award payments in 2008/9. This figure does not include the hidden costs associated with defending the claim such as the management time lost in preparing a response to a claim along with any legal advice and representation at Tribunal. Claims for discrimination awards have no ceiling and can cost businesses tens of thousands of pounds if successful at Tribunal.

Managers who have people management responsibilities need to ensure they have a practical understanding of the key areas of employment law to ensure they are compliant within the workplace.

hjspeople will be running their Basic Employment Law workshop which provides an introduction into how the law is made along with the contractual relationship between employers and employees and also considers employee rights and the law against discrimination. Finally, we will cover your obligations under Health and Safety law and how to resolve employment disputes.

Our workshops are run from a practical and commercial perspective and our aim is to support managers and business owners in the efficient and profitable running of their businesses.

Our next Basic Employment Law workshop will be held on Wednesday 17 November 2010 at a local venue in Southampton and will cost £350.00 per person including all course materials, refreshments and lunch.