Mediation push for workplace disputes
The government is to press ahead with its strategy for resolving workplace disputes early, by diverting parties toward mediation and away from employment tribunals.
A response to a consultation on resolving workplace disputes, issued jointly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Courts and Tribunals Service, said: ‘We are even more convinced about the role that mediation can play as one of the forms of early dispute resolution.’
The consultation, launched last January, received more than 400 responses. It focused on resolving disputes without the need for a tribunal using mediation and conciliation; amending overcomplicated and burdensome tribunal practices; and introducing tribunal fees.
The response said that increasing the use of mediation in workplace disputes could lead to a ‘major and dramatic shift’ in the culture of employment relations, which would reduce employers’ fear of tribunals and indirectly boost job creation.
Less than 50% of the business respondents to the consultation said they had used mediation. Planned measures include creating regional mediation networks by training representatives from small and medium-sized businesses.
Comments
A good idea! They could
A good idea! They could create a statutory national service, an Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service if you will, or ACAS for short.
They could ensure that it was compulsory for ACAS to be involved at an early stage in all Employment Tribunal matters, and have a quick procedure to get the claim away from the Tribunal process if settlement is achieved using an easy form. The name "COT3" springs to mind.
Oh, but wait. That doesn't work does it. Instead, they should start charging people to go to tribunal, extend the period of time to two years, and make it harder and more complicated to bring tribunal claims (which are already ridiculously complex as they are). Yes, if they do that, then they will resolve claims by mediation, won't they!