Dispute resolution procedures will be reviewed

Recommendations for changes to the statutory dispute resolution procedures are expected in the spring of this year.

The recommendations are part of an ongoing review of the procedures, which were introduced more than two years ago in an attempt to reduce the number of claims brought in employment tribunals (see also "Grievance procedures deny workers justice" elsewhere in this issue).

A review of dispute resolution in employment will be carried out by Michael Gibbons, a member of the Better Regulation Commission and a former director at energy company Powergen, with a view to clarifying and simplifying the procedures.

The review will take into account evidence gathered last year by the Department of Trade and Industry from a number of organisations including the TUC, the CBI, the equality commissions and presidents of the employment tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal.