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Citizens Advice reveals sharp drop in employment claims

New research has revealed that the majority of employees are being deterred from bringing employment tribunal claims against their employer as a result of the related fees.

 

The Citizens Advice research found that the vast majority – seven out of 10 – of ‘potentially successful cases’ are not going ahead following the implementation of a fee system a year ago.

 

The findings – which are based on an examination of 182 employment cases brought before Citizens Advice this month and last month – seem directly linked to the roll out of fees of up to £1,200 to make use of the tribunal system.

 

The fees have also led to a sharp drop in the number of claims being brought against employers; there was a 73 per cent drop in claims between October of last year and March 2014 compared to the same period a year prior.

 

The majority of claims brought to Citizens Advice were linked to dismissal, withholding of wages and holiday pay. Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, told the Guardian: “Employers are getting away with unlawful sackings and withholding wages.

 

“People with strong employment claims are immediately defeated by high costs. The cost of a case can sometimes be more than the award achieved, and people can’t afford to fight on principle anymore.”

 

However, Justice Minister, Shailesh Vara, said that it was unfair to expect taxpayers to pay the £74 million bill for “people to escalate workplace disputes to a tribunal”.

 

He added: “It is not unreasonable to expect people who can afford to do so to make a contribution. For those who cannot afford to pay, full-fee waivers are available.”

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