Laura Chalkley, of Maxwell Hodge, on the steep rise in employment tribunal cases

THE number of employment tribunal claims has risen dramatically in the past two years – by 44%.

The increase is considered to be due to a combination factors.

The recession has created a high level of redundancies, which in turn has led to an increase in tribunal claims where dismissals are challenged or over procedures carried out incorrectly.

There have also been a number of high-profile employment tribunal cases, which has meant employees are more aware of their rights and are more prepared to take action when they lose a job or consider themselves to have been discriminated against.

I know from my own experience we have had many more inquiries from employees in the last few months who are prepared to take action because they feel they have been unjustly treated.

Many employers are calling for regulations on employment law to be tightened to make it less easy to make a claim.

However, I believe there needs to be a balance between not discouraging employees with genuine complaints from holding their employer to account, while at the same time not allowing serial litigants to “abuse” the system.

The rise should be taken as a warning to firms that they have to follow proper consultation processes and have the correct procedures in place to ensure that they are not leaving themselves open to legal action.