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Rise in sex discrimination claims Rise in sex discrimination claims
(about 2 hours later)
The tribunal system which deals with sex discrimination cases is close to breaking point, the Equal Opportunities Commission has warned. The tribunal system is facing an unprecedented rise in claims, the Equal Opportunities Commission has warned.
It says the system is dealing with an unprecedented rise in claims.
More women are willing to challenge their pay because of the "no-win, no-fee" offers from lawyers, it says.More women are willing to challenge their pay because of the "no-win, no-fee" offers from lawyers, it says.
The number of cases more than doubled between 2005 and 2006 to over 44,000 - and a backlog of thousands more is waiting to be assessed. Figures from the Tribunals Service this month showed equal pay claims increased by 155% in 2005-2006, rising to 44,013.
Most cases involve local authorities but the commission says the private sector is just as vulnerable to claims. The commission wants a "carrot and stick" approach to be introduced to make employers ensure their pay systems are fair.
It warns that "no win no fee" lawyers will continue to fuel the number of women challenging employers. The majority of cases involve local authorities, but the commission says the private sector is just as vulnerable to claims.
It warns that "no win, no fee" lawyers will continue to fuel the number of women challenging employers.
Breathing spaceBreathing space
The commission suggests a new system in which employers agree to check their pay system for discrimination to ensure sure it is fair. The commission suggests a new system in which employers must agree to check their pay system for discrimination to ensure it is fair.
In return they would get breathing space, a period of two to three years where they would not have to face any individual pay claims. In return they would get breathing space - a period of two to three years when they would not have to face any individual pay claims.
The Commission's chairwoman, Jenny Watson, said: "We would like to see employers earn some legal protection. The Commission's chairwoman, Jenny Watson, said: "In return for accepting a legal obligation to check their pay systems are free from discrimination and taking robust steps to put their house in order should they find they have a problem, we think employers should have some breathing space from individual claims for a limited period.
"So in return for accepting a legal obligation to check their pay systems for discrimination and if they find a problem, putting in place a robust action plan to tackle it, we think they should get some breathing space. "This approach - what we're calling a 'protected period for transitional arrangements' - is the kind of modern approach that's needed."
"Some protected period for transitional arrangements to put the problem right, so for two or three years for example they would not be able to face individual pay claims." Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Minister for Women Harriet Harman said she was determined to improve the situation.
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Minister for Women, Harriet Harman, said she was determined to improve the situation.
"Above all we've got to have fairness and equality for women at work, but we've also got to make sure that the public sector, many of whom owe a great deal in back pay, can manage their budgets, can provide fairness in the back pay, but also continue to provide good public services.""Above all we've got to have fairness and equality for women at work, but we've also got to make sure that the public sector, many of whom owe a great deal in back pay, can manage their budgets, can provide fairness in the back pay, but also continue to provide good public services."
'Wide experience'
The Tribunals Service said that, despite the increase in cases, the situation is under control.
It said many of the claims involve a large number of people taking action against the same employer on the same or very similar grounds, meaning one tribunal hearing can resolve a large number of claims.
A spokeswoman said: "The influx of a large number of cases can create pressure points, but tribunal staff and judiciary have wide experience of such situations and have developed efficient and practical approaches to handling them.
"Despite a 15% increase in employment tribunal cases in 2006-07, we managed in the same year to reduce the waiting times for single cases appearing before employment tribunals."