Public sector Tribunals on the rise
by Sarah
In the period between August 2006 and 31st July 2007, public sector employment tribunals had risen to account for 37% of employment tribunal claims. This was up from 30% the year before. This is despite the fact that the public sector only employ about 20% of the UK workforce.
These stats come as no suprise to us at PJH Law. Personally more than 1/3 of my employee tribunals have recently been for public sector employees. One explanation given for the increase is that the sector is heavily unionised. This does not tie in with our experience as to why they have risen.
Traditionally the public sector did not dismiss employees, you had a job for life but now when they do dismiss they do it badly. Whilst this may be a generalisation, typical failures are not following the statutory dismissal procedure, issues with whistleblowing, not allowing representatives of choice to disciplinary meetings or just bad decisions. When they do get it wrong they get it wrong big time, as the awards tend to be high due to the loss of a final salary pension scheme which is irreplaceable in the public sector.
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You right
James Bainum said at November 21st, 2007 at 8:55 pm