The average cost of an employment tribunal to an employer can be significant, with estimates ranging from £3,500 for straightforward claims to in excess of £20,000 for more complex disputes. Barrister’s fees alone can amount to between £1,000 and £2,000 a day, in addition to which you must pay your solicitor’s costs along with any compensation the tribunal awards the employee.
With litigation being so expensive, the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ is never more appropriate. It is incredibly important that employers take proactive steps and implement measures to avoid employment tribunal claims wherever possible. Working with experienced HR consultants, like those at GAP HR, ensures that your organisation’s employment policies are fair and legally compliant, and can significantly reduce the risk of a disgruntled employee bringing a legal claim against you.
Call us now on 01491 598 600 or Click Here to Make An Enquiry and we will be delighted to help you.
How Is The Average Cost Of Employment Tribunal To Employer Worked Out?
When facing an employment tribunal claim, an employer can expect to incur a range of costs. They include the following:
• Legal Fees
Legal fees are usually the single largest cost for most employers facing a tribunal claim. In addition to your solicitors’ fees for undertaking tasks including preparing your defence and handling witness statements, you may also incur disbursements, such as photocopying charges and courier services, as well as barristers’ fees.
• Internal Costs
To successfully defend an employment tribunal claim, you will need to dedicate your time, or your staff’s time, to collating evidence in support of your defence. You will also need to take time away from your business to meet with with your legal team and attend court hearings.
• Compensation
If an employment tribunal claim succeeds, you will likely be ordered to pay compensation to the affected employee. Compensation awards can be substantial, particularly in cases involving discrimination, where the amount is uncapped.
How Can GAP HR Assist You In Avoiding The Cost Of An Employment Tribunal?
At GAP HR, helping our clients to avoid tribunal proceedings is our core area of focus. We are committed to reducing the risk of litigation by ensuring that our clients meet their legal obligations and manage their workforce fairly.
Just a few examples of the types of matters with which we routinely support our clients include the following:
• Policy Development And Legal Compliance
Our HR experts assist employers in creating and updating their workplace policies, including those relating to crucial issues such as disciplinaries, grievances, and redundancies. These policies play a key role in preventing employees from issuing tribunal claims or providing employers with a robust defence in the event that proceedings are issued.
• Training Management
Our HR consultants regularly train our clients’ line managers on how to effectively handle sensitive issues, such as allegations of bullying or sexual harassment. An employee’s line manager is often their first port of call when a problem arises, and ensuring your managers understand how to spot the early signs of discontent, manage any complaints fairly, understand any adjustments they may need to make, and can effectively de-escalate issues is key in ensuring your workforce feels supported and avoiding tribunal claims.
• Providing Practical, Hands-On HR Support And Guidance
Our HR consultants act as an extension of your team, taking on the role of your dedicated HR manager. With our easily accessible HR support, our clients can act with consistency and speed, fostering trust among staff and preventing a buildup of unaddressed issues.
We provide on-call advice over the phone, via email, and in person, and we can assist you in drafting correspondence, managing disciplinaries, grievances, and redundancies, and ensure that you comply with the law and follow best practice in all HR and employee matters.
Why Choose GAP HR To Assist You In Avoiding The Cost Of An Employment Tribunal?
Employment law is incredibly complex and constantly evolving, and mistakes can be costly. For small and medium-sized businesses without dedicated in-house HR teams, the risks are even greater. That’s where GAP HR comes in.
At GAP HR, we have built our reputation on one simple promise – to keep our clients tribunal free. We keep that promise, too, with an exceptional track record of assisting our clients in avoiding the cost of an employment tribunal claim.
We specialise in supporting small and owner-managed businesses, which often lack the time and resources to handle HR issues effectively. We offer proportionate, practical, cost-effective advice aligned with the realities of running a small company. Our experience means that we know exactly where issues often arise and can put systems in place to circumvent them.
We structure our HR consultancy service as a predictable, affordable retainer that gives our clients unlimited advice for a fixed monthly fee. The structure is important because it encourages employers to seek our advice at an early stage rather than waiting to ask for help until an issue becomes a serious legal problem.
Call us now on 01491 598 600 or Click Here to Make An Enquiry and we will be delighted to help you.
