It’s Learning at Work Week, which makes it a great time to build skills and help your team grow. But it’s also a good chance to check, do your managers know how to handle tricky situations at work? Things like unfair dismissals, dealing with complaints properly, or how to steer clear of discrimination claims? If not, even a small mistake can lead to big trouble, like an employment tribunal. And these are becoming more and more common.
So, while you're helping your team learn and grow, make sure you're also learning how to keep your business out of legal hot water.
Why Are Employment Tribunals Happening More Often?
Over the past few years, employment tribunal claims have been on the rise. People are more aware of their rights, and that means more employees are speaking up. There are a number of reasons why employment tribunals happen, but the main ones usually come down to issues like unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment, or unpaid wages. These might seem like small problems at first, but they can easily grow into something much bigger if not handled properly.
For example, a woman who worked at Citibank recently got a £215,000 payout after claiming she was treated unfairly while on maternity leave. She said she missed out on a promotion because the job was given to someone covering for her while she was away. Citibank didn’t admit they did anything wrong, but the payout shows how important it is for businesses to treat people fairly and follow the right steps.
It’s a reminder that if things aren’t handled properly, even a small issue can turn into something very expensive and damaging.
How Small Mistakes Can Lead to Big Problems
It’s easy to think that something small, like not following the right dismissal procedure or not dealing with a complaint properlywon’t cause much trouble. Unfortunately, these things can quickly spiral into legal issues. Tribunals are expensive, time-consuming, and can seriously damage your business’s reputation. Getting it right from the start can save you a lot of hassle down the line.
Common Things That Can Lead to a Tribunal
- Unfair Dismissal: If you dismiss someone without following the right process and procedure or without a fair reason, they might take you to an employment tribunal. It’s important to have a clear process that your employees are aware of and to document everything.
- Discrimination: Claims of discrimination, whether based on gender, age, race, or disability, are on the rise. Even if you don’t mean to discriminate, failing to be mindful of these issues can cause trouble.
- Harassment: Whether it's sexual harassment or any other form of bullying, businesses must take complaints seriously and deal with them quickly. Failing to address harassment can lead to a tribunal.
- Unpaid Wages: If you’re not paying employees correctly, whether it’s holiday pay, sick pay, or overtime, they have the right to take action. Keeping up to date with these rules should be one of your priorities.
How to Avoid Employment Tribunals
The good news is, there are simple things you can do to avoid falling into these traps. Here’s how you can keep your business safe:
- Train Your Team. It’s a great time to use Learning at Work Week to train your managers and employees on things like workplace rights, harassment, and discrimination. The more everyone knows, the less likely they are to make mistakes that lead to legal trouble.
- Keep Records. Whether it’s performance reviews, disciplinary actions, or complaints, it’s essential to make clear, dated notes. Having a paper trail in place can protect your business if things ever go wrong. Write it, date it, save it! Your futurewill thank you!
- Update Your Policies. Make sure your workplace policies on things like harassment, firing employees, and pay are clear and up to date. When your team knows the rules, they’re less likely to break them.
- Get Expert Advice. If you’re not sure about something, ask for help. Getting advice from HR experts can make sure you’re on the right track and avoid costly mistakes. At Dakota Blue Consulting, we can guide you through all of this, helping you stay on top of things before they become a problem.
How Dakota Blue Consulting Can Help
At Dakota Blue Consulting, we specialise in helping small businesses like yours avoid the issues that can lead to costly employment tribunals. From creating clear policies to training your team and keeping you up to date with the latest legal changes, we’re here to support you in getting it right.
Take Action
Employment tribunals are happening more often, so it’s really important to make sure your business is ready. Things like training your team, keeping good records, and having clear policies can help you avoid big problems later. Learning at Work Week is a great time to invest in your people and protect your business at the same time. If you’re not sure where to start, Dakota Blue Consulting is here to help you stay one step ahead.