Grievance procedure forecast

Union leader George Brumwell is forecasting that the government may legislate to introduce mandatory company grievance procedures in a bid to stem the soaring tide of Employment Tribunal hearings.

"There were over 100,000 Employment Tribunals last year," said the Ucatt general secretary. "That marks a 35% increase over the past 10 years. And a large proportion of the cases involve the construction industry."

Brumwell said he anticipated a fresh wave of tribunal claims this autumn after legislation requiring firms to offer stakeholder pensions takes effect from the beginning of October.

A flood of construction industry Employment Tribunal hearings has followed on from the Working Time Regulations and, in particular, their requirements on holiday pay.

Brumwell said: "There are claims relating to unfair dismissal, holiday pay, and discrimination. It is an expensive business on both sides. And the whole system is creaking.

"I believe the government is set to legislate to put mandatory company grievance procedures in place. That is going to catch the construction industry cold in many cases. Most firms don't have any proper grievance procedures."

Evidence of the pressure on Employment Tribunals has also come from construction employers. The number of claims against contractors rose by 30% last year, according to the Construction Confederation.