New Feature
Legal updates
We have introduced this new feature for you - we hope that it's useful for you and keeps your finger on the pulse of all things legal re H.R.
“Named and shamed” | respondents’ names to be published
The names and addresses of businesses who are party to employment tribunal cases will in future be made public, following a recent ruling by the Information Commissioner’s Office. The investigation and subsequent decision was made in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has decided that there is a strong public interest in the disclosure of this information. This is despite arguments that this would leave organisations open to marketing, expose disputes publicly, reduce the possibility of any informal settlement and leave risk damage to reputation.
The position will return to pre 2001, when organisations’ names were routinely published and a register (the Register of Employment Tribunal Applications) was kept. It is unclear whether a register will be used to publish respondents’ details again. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (‘BERR’) must provide the details by 6 November 2008. BERR may appeal against the decision but organisations should brace themselves to be contacted, particularly if they are involved in ongoing tribunal proceedings.
Information courtesy of Julie Temple, Branch committee member