The figures also showed that the number of cases
disposed of during 2006–07 also rose, by 19%, from 86,083 to
102,597. The total number of cases brought to employment tribunals
rose from 115,039 in 2005–06 to 132,577.
There was an increase of 26% in multiple cases – which is where
a number of people bring cases against one employer on the same or
very similar grounds and they are progressed together. Single cases
saw a 3% rise in 2006–07.
Multiple cases now make up 60% of all cases received, compared
to 55% last year and 36% in 2004–05.
Many cases involve more than one complaint. Of the 238,546
complaints lodged in 2006–07:
- 18.7% of complaints (44,491) were for unfair dismissal;
- 18.5% of complaints (44,013) were equal pay claims;
- 14.6% of complaints (34,857) were about unauthorised deductions
(formerly Wages Act);
- 11.8% of complaints (28,153) were for sex discrimination (a
large number of these were in conjunction with equal pay
claims);
- 11.4% of complaints (27,298) were for breach of contract;
- 8.9% of complaints (21,127) were under the Working Time
Directive;
- 3.2% of complaints (7,602) were for redundancy pay;
- 2.3% of complaints (5,533) were for disability
discrimination;
- 1.6% of complaints (3,780) were for race discrimination.
Among the remainder, 1,108 (0.5%) of complaints were made under
TUPE Regulations for a failure to inform and consult, and 972
complaints (0.4%) were age discrimination claims.
The Tribunals Service said that with the exception of race
discrimination, all showed an upwards trend, with equal pay showing
the biggest rise.
Ben Doherty, an employment lawyer at Pinsent Masons, the law
firm behind OUT-LAW.COM said: "The main reason for the increase in
claims is the large number of equal pay claims that have been
brought against public sector employers.
“The majority of those claims have been brought against local
authorities and the NHS as a result of the introduction of Job
Evaluation Schemes which are intended to remedy unequal pay between
female and male employees.
“This litigation involves many employees of the same employer
bringing broadly the same case and therefore also explains the 26%
increase in multiple cases."
