Great Britain: government considers reforming employment tribunals

A “perverted” system?  The heads of the largest British businesses met with Premier David Cameron on January 10th to discuss the labor law reform aiming to increase competitiveness and encourage job creation in the private sector.  The reform of employment tribunals is notably under discussion: for several weeks, employers’ associations have been encouraging the government to make employees who make a claim against their employer pay.  The aim is to deter workers who make groundless claims.  The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) published figures showing the cost of the current system of employment tribunals for businesses: £8,500 (€10,230) in average for an employer to defend themselves at tribunal. The average settlement is £5,400 (€6,500), often making it cheaper for employers to settle, even if faced with a spurious claim.  Three quarters of claims are settled out of court, via the Acas conciliation organization or privately.  Rather than fearing losing the claim, the main reasons employers try to settle are to keep costs down.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

loyer to defend themselves at tribunal. The average settlement is £5,400 (€6,500), often making it cheaper for employers to settle, even if faced with a spurious claim. Three quarters of claims are settled out of court, via the Acas conciliation organization or privately. Rather than fearing losing the claim, the main reasons employers try to settle are to keep costs down.

Fees for plaintiffs? With this study, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the BCC, pointed to th

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Germany: IG Metall demands 5% pay rise amid severe pressure
Despite the crisis hitting the automotive industry, the leadership of the German trade union IG Metall announced on Wednesday 23 September that it would be asking for a 5% pay increase as well as...
23 September 2026
Florent Rispoli (ADP): “Our goal is to take an open and inclusive approach to parenthood”
Appointed in November 2025 as Vice President Human Ressources for France and Switzerland at ADP (2,000 employees in France), a specialist in HR management and payroll solutions, Florent Rispoli...
23 September 2026
France: Ministry of Labour unveils plan to accelerate the rollout of AI
On 22 September, the French Ministry of Labour presented a plan named Impulsion IA 2027 aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI by companies and employees. It contains 12 measures applicable from...
Germany: major day of union action in the automotive industry ahead of collective bargaining
A few weeks before the start of collective bargaining in the German metalworking sector, the IG Metall trade union mobilised nearly 175,000 workers across more than 200 industrial sites on 21...
22 September 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: Medef puts forward proposals to improve management quality
On 31 August, Medef, French main employers' organisation, published a practical guide to managerial skills, which it considers to be a driver of economic performance for businesses. Concerned by...
2
AI: uneven integration but a global challenge for the world of work
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in business is profoundly transforming the world of work, and some occupations are now under threat. However, the full extent of its effects remains...
3
France: Ministry of Labour unveils plan to accelerate the rollout of AI
On 22 September, the French Ministry of Labour presented a plan named Impulsion IA 2027 aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI by companies and employees. It contains 12 measures applicable from...
4
Germany: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt raises concerns over labour supply and workplace cohesion
The rise of Germany’s far-right AfD, which could soon gain influence over migration policy in Saxony-Anhalt and, following elections on September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well, is...
5
Netherlands: towards a ban on housing cost deductions from migrant workers’ wages
The news. On September 10, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Hans Vijlbrief (centre-left) sent a letter to the House of Representatives, stating that he intends to prohibit employers...
6
UE: Commission proposes measures to facilitate “fair” worker mobility across the Union
The info. On 15 September, the European Commission adopted a series of measures aimed at encouraging “fair” worker mobility within the EU. It wants to remove the administrative...