Employment tribunals

1. We hear there are big changes coming in the way Employment Tribunals operate. Is this correct?
2. A former employee has decided to sue us for unfair dismissal. What is the procedure?
3. Is it worth fighting a claim, or should we just try and settle out of court?
4. If we do settle out of court, is there any way of preventing the employee from coming back for a second bite of the cherry later?
5. An employee left, threatening to sue us, over four months ago. Since then we have heard nothing. Are we off the hook?
6. We have a trouble-maker suing us for discrimination. She hasn't a leg to stand on. How can we stop her in her tracks?
7. Is it worth fighting a case that we know we will lose, even though we had good reasons to sack the employee in question?
8. An employee who left without warning is bringing a case for constructive dismissal. Surely she should have given us the chance to set things right?
9. We sacked a man when he came in drunk. Now he is claiming unfair dismissal because we haven't followed correct procedures. Will he win?
10. Can I ask for an extension to the three-week time limit for replies to an ET1 form?
11. Can I ask for a postponement of the date for the hearing?
12. What kind of evidence do I need to assemble, for an Employment Tribunal?
13. Our ex-employee's lawyers have asked us for a lot of extra information. Do we have to provide it?
14. Are cases before Employment Tribunals held in open court? Are they likely to be reported in the press?
15. Will we be able to call witnesses? Will it improve our case if we do?
16. We are on the receiving end of a case alleging discrimination, in which two of the witnesses for the other side are claiming anonymity. Are they allowed to do that?
17. We have witness statements from all our witnesses. Do they have to appear in person too?
18. Do the witnesses get cross-examined?
19. How much is it going to cost to defend a claim for unfair dismissal based on a one-day hearing? If we win, can we claim costs back from our ex-employee?
20. What is the maximum settlement that an ex-employee suing us for unfair dismissal could conceivably get from the court? How will it be made up?
21. If the case goes against us, can we appeal? And is it sensible to do so?
22. If the Tribunal demands that we reinstate an employee we would not want on the premises again, what can we do about it?