7 August 2009

The latest statistics from the Employment Tribunal Service (ETS) have been published. The total number of employment tribunals rose by 43% to 189, 303 during 2007/8.

• The highest number of claims related to equal pay. There were 62,706 equal pay claims in 2007/8 compared to 44,013 for 2006/7 
• There were 40,941 unfair dismissal claims in 2007/8 compared to 44, 491 in 2006/7
• There was a three fold increase in age discrimination claims (2,949) compared with 972 in 2006/7 
• Claims relating to working time rose to 55,712 in 2007/8 compared to 21,127 in the previous year

 Figures on the level of compensation awarded in 2007/8 are:

Globis Director Jack Fallow said “The benefits of mediation and alternative dispute resolution will begin to eventually begin to filter through to parties wishing to go to Tribunal. The evidence suggests that engaging in mediation is far more cost effective for the claimant and defendant both in terms of money and time. There are also benefits in terms of preservation of reputation and avoiding potential risks to ones health”.