It would appear from press reports this morning that the Government are to announce major reforms to the Employment Tribunal System. Proposals that David Cameron is expected to announce later today are thought to include:
‘¢ The introduction of a fee to lodge an employment tribunal claim, which it has been suggested could be one weeks pay or £500;
‘¢ An increase in the unfair dismissal qualifying period from one year to two years; and
‘¢ Compulsory mediation for all tribunal claims.
Overall, I am not surprised at these reports given that in the last year alone, Employment Tribunals had seen over a fifty percent increase in claims. If the Government does make such proposals then inevitably it will be more difficult for the lower paid employees to lodge employment claims. For employers, this is likely to mean a reduced risk when having to make commercial decisions regarding the termination of employees.