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This equipment was donated by Thompsons solicitors. Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures & Employment Tribunal Rules: fairness or fudge? Wednesday 13 June 2007. Review of the Dispute Resolution Regulations: A More Flexible Future?. Ron Woods
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This equipment was donated by Thompsons solicitors Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures & Employment Tribunal Rules: fairness or fudge? Wednesday 13 June 2007
Review of the Dispute Resolution Regulations: A More Flexible Future? Ron Woods Assistant Director, Individual Conciliation Policy, Acas National Institute of Employment Rights G&D Wednesday 13th June 2007
Dispute Resolution Regulations review - background • Government committed to review in two years • Michael Gibbons appointed Dec 2006, reported Mar 2007 • Recommended major changes covering: • Resolving disputes in the workplace • Resolving disputes beyond the workplace • Employment Tribunal processes and practices • Formal public consultation on the DTI website at: www.dti.gov.uk/files/file38553.pdf (closes 20th June) • Government will publish conclusions later this year Institute of Employment Rights G&D Wednesday 13th June 2007
Resolving disputes in the workplace • Removal of the statutory three-step procedures • any unintended consequences? • Role of procedure in unfair dismissal • New / updated guidelines on resolving disputes • mechanism to encourage parties to follow guidelines? • incentives / penalties? • Employer and employee bodies to encourage and promote early resolution Institute of Employment Rights G&D Wednesday 13th June 2007
Resolving disputes beyond the workplace • New / enhanced advice service • Single entry point for employment tribunal claims • New quick approach for straightforward claims • More early conciliation of disputes - Priorities? • Remove fixed periods for Acas conciliation Institute of Employment Rights G&D Wednesday 13th June 2007
Employment Tribunal processes and practices • Simplified forms • “Statement of loss” when making claim • Unified time limits and grounds for extension • - what should they be? • Improved procedures and case management • Simplified management of multiple claimant claims • Powers to manage weak and vexatious claims • Role of lay members • Recommendations on discriminatory policies and practices Institute of Employment Rights G&D Wednesday 13th June 2007
Dispute Resolution Regulations review – Acas perspective Acas supports a package of measures which include : • the repeal of the statutory procedures • revised and strengthened statutory Acas Code or Codes of Practice • enhanced information and advice services for employers and employees • additional resources for conciliation / mediation before and after claims presented to the tribunal • removal of fixed periods for conciliation • proactive case management through which tribunals encourage parties to resolve claims without the need for judicial determination Institute of Employment Rights G&D Wednesday 13th June 2007
Further Information www.acas.org.uk Institute of Employment Rights G&D Wednesday 13th June 2007