Page 102 - E2 Integrated Workbook STUDENT 2018

Chapter 7

3.6 Tribunals

A company may find that an employee is not happy with the outcome of a grievance
procedure and that the individual wants to make a claim to an employment tribunal.

Employment tribunals are independent judicial bodies, less formal than a court,
established to hear and determine claims to do with employment matters. Their aim
is to resolve disputes between employers and employees over employment rights.

Examples include:

 unfair dismissal

 breach of contract

 discrimination

 equal pay.

3.7 Solving disputes without a tribunal

In some cases it is possible to resolve disputes without the need for a tribunal. The
following techniques may be used:

Arbitration – an independent arbitrator hears the case and delivers a legally binding
decision in favour of one party. It is used to decide cases of alleged unfair dismissal
or claims under flexible working legislation.

Mediation – an impartial third party facilitates discussion between the parties and
encourages them to reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion.

Conciliation – this can be used to settle a dispute before it gets to a tribunal hearing.
It involves trying to build a positive relationship between the disputing parties.

Illustrations and further practice

Try case study style question 3 from Chapter 7 of the Study Text

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