THE RETAIL BULLETIN - The home of retail news
Click here
Home Page
News Categories
Commentary
Department Stores
Electricals and Tech
Entertainment
Fashion
Food and Drink
General Merchandise
Grocery
Health and Beauty
Home and DIY
Interviews
People Matter
Retail Business Strategy
Property
Retail Solutions
Electricals & Technology
Sports and Leisure
Christmas Ads
Shopping Centres, High Streets & Retail Parks
Retail Events
People in Retail Awards 2024
Retail HR Central 2024
The Future of The High Street 2024
Retail HR Summit
THE Retail Conference
Upcoming Retail Events
Past Retail Events
Retail Insights
Retail Solutions
Advertise
About
Contact
Subscribe for free
Terms and Policies
Privacy Policy
Retailers unaware of new employment tribunal rules

New research has shown that 10% of retailers are unaware of the existence of the new early conciliation service for anyone considering an employment tribunal claim…. View Article

GENERAL MERCHANDISE NEWS

Retailers unaware of new employment tribunal rules

New research has shown that 10% of retailers are unaware of the existence of the new early conciliation service for anyone considering an employment tribunal claim. The service, which was launched by Acas on 6 April, becomes compulsory today.

The study by the British Retail Consortium and business law firm Bond Dickinson also shows that 10% of retailers do not know that they could now face financial penalties of up to £5,000 for losing employment tribunal cases, following a change in the law that came into effect on 6 April.

The findings, from the BRC-Bond Dickinson Retail Employment Monitor Q1 2014, are comprised of responses from retailers accounting for a third of the retail sector by turnover and employing 797,000 people.

Yet despite one in 10 retailers still being unaware of the Acas service and another 10% saying they could do with more information on it, the reception from those who are aware of it has been cautiously optimistic. While 38% of retailers said they felt the service would have a positive effect on their business, the remaining 63% believed it would have a neutral or negligible effect.

From 6 May it will be compulsory for most claimants to notify Acas before making an employment tribunal claim, at which point Acas will contact the employer and employee to try to secure agreement without recourse to a tribunal. The service is aimed at reducing the time and cost of employment tribunals.

Since 6 April employers can also be fined up to £5,000 if they lose an employment tribunal to an employee or former employee, on top of being liable for any compensation due to the individual.

The Acas service is the latest measure designed to reduce the number of employment tribunals. At the end of July 2013, fees of up to £250 were introduced for anyone wishing to bring an employment tribunal claim which Bond Dickinson says has resulted in a significant drop in the number of new claims. In the last quarter of 2013, 9,801 claims were lodged, compared to an average of 50,000 new claims per quarter in 2012/13. This is a 79% decrease compared with the last quarter of 2012.

Christina Tolvas-Vincent, head of retail employment at Bond Dickinson, said: “Any measure that results in a reduced number of claims going to employment tribunal is good news for retailers. The service has received a cautious ‘thumbs up’ from the industry, but it is concerning that some are still unaware of its existence and the new possibility of fines for losing employment tribunals.

“Retailers need to ensure they stay abreast of the latest changes in employment law, which is changing all the time and can have a measurable impact on their operations.”

Subscribe For Retail News