JIB success in dispute resolution

Oct 24, 2011

The JIB has issued annual figures for the resolution of disputes and grievances within the industry.

During 2010, the JIB received 97 case referrals. Of these, 33 were withdrawn for various reasons. Of the remaining 64 cases, 59 of these were settled by the JIB’s mediation team, resulting in a settlement rate of over 90%. The remaining five went to a dispute committee hearing, which is the industry’s equivalent of an Employment Tribunal but is operated by the JIB.

Within the 64 cases there were 34 cases of unfair dismissal lodged.  All of these cases were eligible to be lodged at the Employment Tribunal and the claimants used the JIB procedures to try and resolve the claims through the JIB procedures in the first instance.

These figures do not include the cases which are resolved at a local level and through advice from the JIB, the ECA and Unite the Union, meaning that many cases do not even make it as far as the JIB’s procedures.

The high settlement rate is a reflection of the JIB’s success in working with the industry to find a mutually agreeable way forward without resorting to formal procedures. Steve Brawley, chief executive of the JIB, said: “We have found that mediation and conciliation is a very effective form of dispute resolution – and our settlement figures support this notion. Even for those cases that go as far as a dispute hearing, for both the employer and employee this is usually a more desirable option than an external Employment Tribunal which is more costly and stressful for all parties.”

The JIB has set up a new company – JIB Mediation Services – for any employers and employees who are not covered by the JIB National Working Rules.