Employers rarely settle disputes at work, research shows

Many employers never use workplace mediation to settle disputes between employees, new research has found.

According to the survey by law firm Dundas & Wilson only 36 per cent of employees, such as those in sales jobs, have their workplace disputes settled in a formal manner in the workplace.

Head of employment at the law firm, Eilidh Wiseman, suggests that many tribunals could be avoided with a change of tack from employers.

She said: "A lot of employment tribunals could be avoided if both sides would sit down and address the issue instead of simply locking horns so early in the process.

"It's disappointing that so few employers consider mediation in the early stages of a dispute."

Dispute resolution service Acas recently announced a £37 million injection of funds from the government, claiming that it is an employer's responsibility to be aware of those that have carer's duties at home.

In the long run, it suggests that workplace productivity and retention of high-pressure employees such as those in sales jobs will benefit, avoiding recourse to sales recruitment.


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Filed: 10-06-2008