Research shows 57% of SME's would rather settle a workplace dispute than go to Employment Tribunal

GREATER MANCHESTER, U.K. - May 2, 2013 - PRLog -- According to recent research by Peninsula Business Services questioning 529 small firms:

- 73% of SME’s are concerned about the threat of being taken to employment tribunal.

- 57% would rather settle an employee dispute out of court before it goes to employment tribunal.

- 62% believe employee tribunals are biased towards employees.

Alan Price, group director of Peninsula Business Services said today, “Employment tribunals are won in the workplace by ensuring that you have watertight policies and procedures. A tribunal can be damaging in terms of cost and reputation so it is essential that employers follow HR rules and procedures.”

Alan Price continues, “More small firms are taken to employment tribunal because they may not have the knowledge to deal with HR issues. They are small companies and may not necessarily be able to afford the HR expertise to deal with more complex issues. Additionally, many of these small companies employ friends and family, they think workplace disputes will not happen to them, they are incorrect in their presumptions. An employee can become disgruntled in any business and it is best to deal with the issue early on, so it does not escalate into something more serious.”

Price concludes, “The Government are looking at introducing ways to reduce the number of frivolous tribunal claims brought against employers. By introducing a charge it is anticipated that this will reduce the number of employees who try to cash in on HR disputes.”

Notes to Editor:

- Alan Price is Employment Law Director for Peninsula Business Services.

- Peninsula Business Services is an employment law consultancy.

- Peninsula Business Services questioned 529 small firms throughout April 2013.

- For further clarification please contact Sammual - James McLoughlin or Lughaidh Maguire on 0161 827 8511.