- 48% of employers avoid discipling staff because they feel they will be sued
- 89% of employers would be happy to discipline staff if they were legally confident
- 79% of employes fear that because of an increase in employee rights it is only a matter of time before they are taken to employment tribunal
Peninsula, the UKís largets employment law firm has released research today that shows almost half of UK SMEís asked as part of the research, were afraid to discipline staff in fear that they would be sued.
David Price, Head of Employee Relations at Peninsula today said; ìSome businesses are so scared about being taken to Employment Tribunals that they choosing not to discipline staff! Many businesses these days are so convinced that employment law is weighted on the side of employees, that they are afraid to tackle serious issues in the workplace. Employers should not be afraid of using disciplinary and grievance procedures when used properly can provide a clear and transparent framework to deal with difficulties. If used corectly they ensure that everybody is dealt with fairly and reasonably. Employers must ensure that they are compliant with current legislation as there is confusion amongst employers as to what rights employees have today.î
ìEmployers are increasingly finding it difficult to approach the area of discipline; they are afraid that they will become embroiled in a long drawn out process and ultimately find themselves at Employment Tribunal. Understandably this can be a difficult time for employers with the threat of large payouts if found guilty. Given the automatic presumption of an unfair dismissal, employers are afraid that whilst following proper procedures they will find themselves at the Tribunals they are unlikely to win,î continues Mr Price.
David Price concludes; ìEmployers need to follow fair procedures ensuring they are in line with the terms of contract for employment, locally agreed procedures and any industry agreements. All employers need to ensure that they issue a statement of main terms in a contract for employment, produce a clearly defined job description and re-iterate expected standards and behaviours. Employers also need to have a clear defined disciplinary and grievance policy in line with the statutory code of practice.î
Almost half of UK small firms, scared to discipline staff in fear of being sued
Peninsula has released research today that shows almost half of UK SMEís asked as part of the research, were afraid to discipline staff in fear that they would be sued
