Law change will stop false unfair dismissal claims, says hotelier

A hotelier who lost an unfair dismissal case has welcomed changes to the law governing such claims.

The rule, which comes into force in the spring, means employees could face fines of up to £10,000 for bringing wrongful claims against their employers.

Mike Matthews, managing director of the Prince Rupert hotel in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, said the change to the law would protect hoteliers in the future.

He has about 60 staff at his 70-bedroom 12th century hotel. Last year he had to pay thousands of pounds to a former employee who successfully claimed unfair dismissal against the hotel.

Matthews, who has been campaigning for a system that is fair to both employee and employer, has lobbied MPs for their support. He thinks the forthcoming legislation is long overdue.

"I support the Government's view that people pursuing a claim with no reasonable prospect of success, or who indulge in time-wasting tactics, must be prepared to face heavy financial penalties," said Matthews.

"Previously, former employees had nothing to lose, so many of them took their chances in court. Now the balance has been restored and I am sure employees considering bringing cases to court which may have been borderline claims will be more wary.

"The new system is much fairer and will not jeopardise genuine unfair dismissal claims."

by Louise Bozec louise.bozec@rbi.co.uk

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 15-21 February 2001