22nd October 2025
Employment tribunal claims are on the rise, and the cost to businesses can be significant, not just financially, but in time, stress, and reputation.
The good news? With the right steps, you can dramatically reduce the risk of employment tribunal claims and protect your business.
Sarah Everton, Head of Employment Law at Myers & Co, outlines what steps employers can take to minimise the risk of employment tribunal claims and safeguard their business interests.
The most common reasons include:
Understanding these triggers is the first step to prevention.
Here are five practical steps every employer should take:
Ensure employment contracts and staff handbooks are legally compliant and reflect current law. Outdated documents are a common cause of disputes.
When dealing with disciplinary issues, redundancies, or grievances, follow the ACAS Code of Practice. Failure to do so can increase tribunal awards by up to 25%.
Most claims arise from procedural mistakes. Regular training on employment law and equality obligations helps managers handle issues correctly.
Keep clear records of meetings, decisions, and communications. Good documentation is your best defence if a claim arises.
Engage in open communication and consider mediation or ACAS Early Conciliation to settle disputes before they escalate.
The average unfair dismissal award is nearly £9,000, but discrimination claims can cost far more.
Add legal fees, management time, and reputational damage, and the true cost is much higher.
With tribunal claims increasing year-on-year, prevention is far cheaper than cure.
Our employment law team works with businesses across Staffordshire to reduce the risk of employment tribunal claims. We can:
If you require guidance on employment law matters or are concerned about potential tribunal claims, don’t hesitate to contact Sarah Everton. Call us today or submit a quick enquiry to receive clear, practical advice from our specialist employment law team.
