Good practice guide for employers to follow to avoid tribunal claims

Reason for tribunal claim	How to avoid	Related guides
Disputes over written statements of employment terms or breach of contract	Provide all employees with a written statement of main employment particulars Issue regular pay statements Check that all payments made comply with the latest level of the National Minimum Wage	The employment contract Change an employee's terms of employment
Claims for non-payment or unlawful deduction of wages including National Minimum Wage and Statutory Sick Pay claims	Ensure you have a clear pay system showing details of payments and deductions	Pay - an overview of obligations Understanding National Minimum Wage law Understand Statutory Sick Pay Keep the right staff records
Non-compliance with working time regulations	Ensure all workers receive at least the minimum annual leave, weekly and daily rest breaks	Hours, rest breaks and the working week Know how much holiday to give your staff
Disputes over leave for family reasons	Allow the correct periods of leave for maternity, paternity or adoption and make the correct payments Allow the correct period of unpaid parental leave and in an emergency give time off to meet dependents' needs	Maternity, paternity and adoption - an overview Allowing time off work Meet the need for work-life balance
Claims relating to discrimination	Check that you have a proper equal opportunities policy Make sure your policies don't discriminate on any grounds Train staff in policies Ensure your pay system is fair to all	Prevent discrimination and value diversity Set the right pay rates Bullying and harassment Widen your choice of employees to improve competitiveness
Constructive unfair dismissal	Ensure your managers nip bullying in the bud Ensure all your staff know how to use your grievance procedures Consider making welfare/counselling services available to your staff	Change an employee's terms of employment Handling discipline and grievance issues Bullying and harassment Inform and consult your employees
Unfair dismissal (capability or conduct)	Have proper procedures for handling discipline, grievances and performance issues Train managers in policies Have a clear, non-discriminatory absence policy, and use it	Dismissal Handling discipline and grievance issues Manage absence and sickness
Unfair dismissal (redundancy)	Have policies for voluntary and complusory redundancy. Apply the criteria for selection fairly Consult any employees affected	Making an employee redundant
Disputes over failure to consult with employees or their representatives	Where employees are being made redundant or are affected by the sale of the business or part of the business, you should consult with them individually or with their representatives	Making an employee redundant Responsibilities to employees if you buy or sell a buisness Inform and consult your employees