Find out how employment tribunals work

Jun 17 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

BUSINESSES are being offered the chance to find out how an employment tribunal works and how they can avoid being taken to one.

The Journal and Evening Gazette have teamed up with Weightman Associates and Dickinson Dees LLP to stage a mock employment tribunal on November 4.

The event, at Ramside Hall in Durham, will let delegates find out how a tribunal works and give them the opportunity to question legal professionals about the way the system works. The number of employment tribunals being submitted by staff has shot up in recent years with claims regarding unfair dismissal and equal pay the most common reasons for filing a case.

“There are more tribunals than there have ever been. People are more aware of their rights and they also have more rights under the legislation,” said Tony Weightman of Weightman Associates, a Gosforth-based management development company which works to promote positive employment relations.

Weightman, whose business works with managers, employee groups and businesses going through change in the UK and abroad, has organised mock employment tribunals for a number of years.

“Most managers are now reviewing how to make changes to their business. This will inevitably involve changes to the way people work and their employment rights. This can concern managers and one of their greatest fears is ending up at an employment tribunal,” he added. The Journal business editor Iain Laing said: “Mock tribunals can be a very graphic and even entertaining way to learn about the complex issues involved in an increasingly demanding area of managing staff.”

The event will see solicitors from Newcastle law firm Dickinson Dees acting for the complainant and defendant. A legal professional will act as chairman of the bench supported by two members of the audience chosen to listen to the case.

Three important scenes from a tribunal will be acted out, with the solicitors presenting their evidence and cross-examining each other. Delegates will be able to question the two sides.

Dickinson Dees lawyers will also advise managers how to handle discipline and redundancy cases correctly, so employees do not feel the need to pursue a case to tribunal.

For managers who end up at an Employment Tribunal, they will see how it operates and identify the correct way to deliver evidence. Attending this event will boost the confidence of participants. It will also make them aware of the process and protocol.

This year’s topic is Unfair Selection for Redundancy. It will focus on the need to get this right and the consequences of failure. However the main focus is on the tribunal and how it works.

So if you feel you’re likely to be in a position where you could be called to a tribunal, come along and get prepared.

Every registered person will receive a bundle of documents prior to the event. This shows what a tribunal requires prior to the case but is also used on the day. Therefore you can become familiar with the case before arrival.

The event costs £175 + VAT. To book onto this event email jennifer.cook@ncjmedia.co.uk , telephone (0191) 204-3310 or visit www.nebusiness.co.uk/tribunal  to download a registration form.