As a business owner, do you feel employment legislation is being written for the sole purpose of making your life more difficult?
You’re not alone.
Business owners are finding it harder and harder to make sound commercial decisions in fear they’ll say or do the ‘wrong thing’.
The sad fact is, they have every reason to be cautious.
Employees are submitting claims at an alarming rate even though they have little or no supporting evidence (thanks, Chat GPT!)
These actions can be costly for employers both in time and money.
GOOD NEWS!
In exceptional cases, an ‘award of costs’ can be made to employers where:
- the employee acted vexatiously, abusively, disruptively or otherwise unreasonably in bringing the claim, or in the way it was conducted;
- a claim (or defence to a claim) had no reasonable prospect of success; or
- the employee is in breach of ET orders, or a hearing has had to be postponed.
What is a vexatious claim?
A vexatious claim refers to a legal complaint brought by an employee, or former employee, against their employer that is considered frivolous, groundless or intended to cause harassment or annoyance, rather than to seek a legitimate resolution to a workplace dispute. Such claims can be disruptive, time consuming and costly for the employer.
Sound familiar??
Our advice – as always – is to call us before a niggle becomes a nightmare. We can help you to manage a contentious workplace issue before it gets anywhere near a tribunal.
Contact us for information thehelens@complexhr.co.uk
