Employment law tribunals clogged with 93,000 cases

BLOG16th Feb 2021

“Northern Ireland’s employment law tribunal system is in “paralysis” with a caseload of 93,000 claims as the pandemic hits its processing of cases, it has been claimed.

But employment solicitor Rosemary Connolly… said the end of the furlough scheme could result in a steep rise in claims which would end up mired in the system.”

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/employment-law-tribunals-clogged-with-93000-cases-with-40095297.html

 

Employees are even more tuned into their employment rights since the start of the pandemic. With tribunal backlogs increasing the stress, time and energy required by employers to handle claims, it is more imperative than ever to ensure your organisation’s compliance with employment law.

Here are a few places to start:

1. Policies, Contracts and Handbooks:

A lot has changed in the last year. Do your HR documents reflect these changes?
HR policies, contracts and handbooks are there to provide guidance and reassurance to your employees, which are greatly needed at the moment, and also to cover your organisation should employee relations issues arise. It would be a nasty surprise for an issue to arise, such as a long-term homeworking request, only to find there is no official policy or guidance on the matter.

2. Virtual Procedures:

Do you have processes in place for carrying out HR meetings and investigations remotely? Are your processes legally compliant?

3. Skilled People Management:

Managers who are skilled at communications, difficult conversations and employee engagement can prevent employee relations issues and, when issues do arise, keep them from escalating.
View our range of upcoming workshops on Managing Remote Teams, including:

 

Have a question?

For an informal chat with a HR, Talent & Organisational Development Consultant, contact us on:

enquiries@thinkpeople.co.uk

+4428 9031 0450

+353 1969 7865