Manufacturing companies are increasingly dealing with more employment
tribunal claims before they reach a full hearing, according to the EEF.
A study of claims handled by the manufacturers’ organisation dating back to
the mid-1980s shows that the proportion of claimants who take their case to a
tribunal hearing and succeed now stands at a historically low level of 4.4 per
cent.
Its findings show that the average award now stands at £5,500. In 2003, 14
tribunal awards and 57 settlements exceeded £20,000.
Peter Schofield, EEF director of employment and legal affairs, said there is
a "rising tide of employment litigation which is benefiting nobody in the
workplace". He also warned that the Government’s forthcoming dispute
resolution procedures, expected to come into effect in October 2004, could make
matters worse. www.eef.org.uk
