The challenge
As an employer of more than 140 people, many of whom are just
out of school, sports, leisure and recreational body Inverness
Leisure requires significant support in managing the challenges
associated with absence and other employment law issues.
The organisation makes around 300 calls to the Mentor Advice
Service each year, although there have only been two claims brought
by individuals that have gone through to a hearing. With the
guidance of Mentor, both have been successfully defended.
James Martin, General Manager of Inverness Leisure, explains:
“As we operate from 6am until 11pm all year round, the fact the
advice line is available 24 hours a day is a huge bonus for us.”
And although ten of his managers regularly access the Mentor Advice
line as part of the Employment Law Connect service, following best
practice can still result in an employee feeling aggrieved.
James was particularly grateful for Mentor’s support during a
staff grievance which resulted in an employment tribunal at the end
of 2008. The case was complex, involving the Head of Support
Services who had raised a number of grievances about poor
management and excessive workload over 2007 and 2008.
The Solution
Maureen Patterson, Mentor Client Relationship Manager, stepped
in as mediator for a grievance that had been lodged against the
individual by a member of her staff: “There were quite a few
issues, including the accusation of bullying against her, which all
came to a head at the same time.”
As a result of the mediation process, Maureen became implicated
in the individual’s grievance, so Joanne Wyper, Mentor Senior
Employment Law Consultant took over advising James. Alan Philp,
Mentor Consultant, Litigation, met with up with Joanne as soon as
employment tribunal proceedings began, dealing with the case from a
litigation point of view and presenting the facts to the
tribunal.
Outcome
The employment tribunal lasted for five days during October 2009
and judged in favour of Inverness Leisure - a very welcome result
for the employer.
“It was important that, as Employment Law Advisers, we were
there to support the General Manager and Board of Trustees
throughout the tribunal, and to provide confidence,” says
Joanne.
James admits the tribunal was a big upheaval for the
organisation, but adds: “At no point were we ever left on our own.”
He is now booking the Inverness Leisure management team on a series
of Mentor training courses.
Maureen says Mentor is delighted for Inverness Leisure: “We have
a close relationship with the client. To come out at the end of a
tribunal with a positive outcome and to be able to hold your head
up high both individually and as a Company is magnificent.”
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help your business in situations like this and many
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