Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

AcasLatest NewsEmployee relationsDispute resolutionMediation

Compulsory mediation could be used to curb rise in tribunals

by Greg Pitcher 3 Nov 2008
by Greg Pitcher 3 Nov 2008

The government could force employers to take staff complaints to independent mediators as it bids to cut the number of cases going to tribunals.

Michael Gibbons, whose 2007 report led to the creation of a new dispute resolution system through the Employment Bill, warned that tougher measures were possible.

When the Bill comes into force in April, the much disparaged statutory dispute resolution regulations will be replaced with a more flexible Acas code of practice.

But Gibbons told Personnel Today: “The ultimate risk is that the hope we have of reducing the number of cases at tribunal is not fulfilled. If there is an unwanted increase in tribunal claims, no-one is going to change their mind about the direction we are going in.

“If there has not been great success then we have to find new ways of enforcing these messages. A potential answer is what New Zealand and South Africa do, which is to make mediation mandatory.”

The Gibbons Review found that the 2004 dispute resolution regulations were unpopular with both employers and trade unions, and had led to an increase in formal conflicts.

Gibbons said he was happy with the Employment Bill, which takes on most of his recommendations and encourages employers to follow a 43-point Acas code â€“ making tribunals a last resort.

Speaking at a seminar hosted by manufacturing employers’ group EEF in London last week, Gibbons said he was hopeful the Bill would give employers more chance to settle disputes quickly, cheaply and effectively.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform insisted it had no plans to revisit dispute resolution.

Avatar
Greg Pitcher

previous post
CIPD pensions shortfall makes £5m dent in cash pile
next post
Ernst and Young encourages image workshops for female staff

You may also like

Introduce three-day week for over 50s, says former...

26 Sep 2023

Who is on strike and when?

26 Sep 2023

Ralph Lauren stylist ‘traumatised’ by racial comments

26 Sep 2023

Government expands Youth Offer employment support

26 Sep 2023

Few dyslexic thinkers feel employer knows their strengths

26 Sep 2023

Sickness absence rates soar to 10-year high

26 Sep 2023

Personnel Today Awards 2023 shortlist: Family Friendly Employer...

26 Sep 2023

Three days in office is optimal hybrid working...

25 Sep 2023

Finance regulator consults on tougher conduct rules

25 Sep 2023

One in four over 50s working part-time

25 Sep 2023

  • Discover the value of CIPD accreditation PROMOTED | See how the CIPD can increase your earning potential...Read more
  • What does it mean to be an HR professional in 2024? (survey) PROMOTED | The world of HR is changing rapidly...Read more
  • The Contractor Management Mastery Pack: Everything you need to manage and pay global contractors PROMOTED | Answers to cross-border...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+