Employment tribunal reform can help job creation
New proposals should make the system more flexible.
Proposals to reform the way employer/employee disputes are dealt with should make the system more flexible and effective for everyone involved.
Responding to a consultation announced by Business Secretary Vince Cable, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said it is pleased a common sense attitude to employment tribunals is being considered. It should speed up the process and reduce costs for employers.
Stephen Robertson, Director General of the British Retail Consortium, said, “Major disputes between employers and their staff are fortunately rare and something bosses are anxious to avoid. Retailers are particularly dependent on their staff for the success of their shops and they value good working relationships.
“But, the current tribunal process is often too slow and too costly. Employers can be forced to spend thousands of pounds defending themselves even where they are entirely in the right. Reforms should aim to ensure more disputes are resolved in the workplace and weak or vexatious cases are discouraged.
“The central issue for the economy now is jobs. The critical point is, removing deterrents to hiring new staff and reducing unfair costs will help retailers invest and create more of the new jobs the country needs.”
