Whether or not you voted for Labour in the recent General Election, some of legislative changes that Labour proposes are needed.
In my practice, as the Legal Director in Wright Hassall’s Employment Law team, I have witnessed many times employees who were loyal and enhanced their employer’s business in many ways being dropped like ‘hot potatoes’ after 18 or 20 months of service. No fair reason, or any reason at all, was often given for their dismissal. Frequently, these employees were unable to do anything about it as they did not have the required two years’ service to file an unfair dismissal claim. So, the right to claim unfair dismissal from day one makes sense to me as employers should give a fair reason to dismiss good and loyal employees.
However, this right, as with many other proposed solutions, has a serious downside to it which it seems that our new government did not consider. This proposed legislative change will flood the Tribunal Courts all over the country with an enormous number of cases, something that they will be unable to handle with the resources they currently have. Delays will be inevitable, and justice may not be served for many employees and employers.
But, not to worry as there is a solution! A mechanism well established that can aid stopping the floodgates…
It is work-place mediation which is practiced by many successful businesses.
Mediation is well known for providing a fast and cost-effective resolution for disputes and other difficulties such as toxic environment in the workplace. Added to it there is now a free service, called Mediator Locator, that assists employers to find the right mediator for their business, the parties and the dispute. It is a tailor-made service headed by Stuart Lawrence, Barrister. Check their website.
We at Wright Hassall, together with other leading solicitor firms, have joined this service to offer a high quality and cost-effective mediation service for resolving any workplace disputes or problems with toxic environment. I am myself an experienced Mediator & Arbitrator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and am here to help.
If you want to know more about our mediation process and our services call or email Mali Smith a qualified and experienced Mediator on mali.smith@wrighthassall.co.uk or 01926 880787.
We are here to help.
