Posted on: Oct 16, 2017
The EMA has released its annual analysis of personal grievance cases heard at the Employment Relations Authority, and again it was a sorry story for employers with employees’ winning 72% of cases.
The average national award for hurt and humiliation has increased to just over $7,000 compared to $6,334 in the previous year. Hurt and humiliation awards for constructive dismissal claims were reported to be higher with an average national award of nearly $8,000. At the lower end of the scale the average national award for disadvantage claims was $4,797.
On average, it will cost employers around $50,000 to lose a personal grievance case in the Authority. This includes the awards to the employee, a contribution to the employee’s legal costs and the employer’s own legal costs. Even if the employer wins the case, it still costs around $12,000 for legal fees and expenses (after the employee has paid a contribution towards the employer’s costs).
In light of this, we thought it would be worthwhile highlighting the benefits of mediation, and provide a summary into how the process works.
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This article, and any information contained on our website is necessarily brief and general in nature, and should not be substituted for professional advice. You should always seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters addressed.
