I wonder how many businesses have been caught out by the intricacies of the Statutory Dispute Procedures since they were introduced in October 2004 ... hundreds ... maybe thousands.
Have they achieved what the Government set out to achieve namely problems being resolved in the workplace and consequently less claims for the Employment Tribunals to deal with? The simple answer is no.
The consultation period for the Government's independent review of the statutory dispute resolution procedures ends on 20 June and they are considering planning a number of "events" to aid discussion.
It will be interesting to see exactly what these events consist of and more particularly who they are aimed at. More information at www.dti.gov.uk.consultations.
Apparently, as part of the consultation process, " . . . initial discussions have been held with a number of businesses employees, representatives, professionals, trade bodies and associations." We would all say "Amen" to that but surely we have been here before, namely 3 years ago, prior to the current regulations being put in place?
I feel I may be stating the obvious, (I am in good company, as the Gibbons Review seems to do exactly that!) but the Government were warned that these procedures would not achieve what they intended during the last round of consultation. So I ask myself whether the latest consultation following the Gibbons Review is a waste of time or have the Government learned their lesson?
What all lawyers and businesses ( and of course solicitors are both) hope is that this time the government will be willing to take on board the recommendations of those involved with employment disputes on a daily basis? Yes, the general consensus seems to be 'REPEAL' but the driving force behind any new regulations must be those professionals and businesses that have to apply and implement them.