Tribunals be careful

[kev100]

My wife had worked at the same firm for 16 years when a new manager took over, this dimwit came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea, he made my wife redundant and several weeks later gave HIS wife the job thus decreasing our income by �14000 per annum and increasing his family's income by the same amount.

I made it clear that we would be seeking substantial damages and we were offered �400 from a voice on the phone purporting to be a representative of ACAS.(Which I dont believe)

I told him not to insult my intelligence again and said that for a quick settlement we would accept �28,000

We eventually settled for �24,000

Conclusion, don't be intimidated by these scumbags or by voices over the phone that may not be who they pretend to be.

and if the voice on the phone actually was from ACAS then take note, offer �400 settlement �24000

[PinkFizz]

Did you actually get the money??

[kev100]

Yes we did PinkFizz it's in the bank

[antiguru]

I�m confused by the title of your question. Did you actually raise a tribunal claim? If you did, you would have received an acknowledgment and details of how an ACAS representative would contact you and how you could identify them.

I think it�s a little unreasonable for you to imply a failing in the tribunal process which might deter others from using this process when they are wronged at work and not in a position to get their husband to demand �24K.

[andover888]

Bet the Dimwit's popular at work NOT!!
Well Done.

[kev100]

I probably could have worded that better antiguru what I'm saying in this limited space is IF the voice on the phone was someone from ACAS then you should be very careful, I was being told I wouldn't get a better offer than �400 and I got �23,600 more.

I'm not saying tribunals can't be trusted I'm saying use you own logic/common sense, if I had accepted their offer of �400 it would have worked out at sevenpence a day for 16 years of loyal service.

Bottom line is be careful and fight for what you believe to be fair, don't be fooled by people simply because they have a businesslike voice.

[kev100]

Andover my wife aged 57 will now work for minimum wage until she retires which will probably be age 65,(long story) total loss of income around �50,000

The only comfort I have from this mess is that Mr and Mrs dimwit were both sacked

[andover888]

It depends on how you view things. I was made redundant at 45 after 17 years and got �4000. I was scared and had to change my thinking to viewing it as an opportunity to find something that I would enjoy more. I'm glad it happened otherwise I'd never have thought I could do anything else. Sure I had to re think my financial situation.
I understand that this isn't for everyone but sometimes stuff happens. The "Well done" was in referance to you challeging the amount - it was a positive.
Hope it works out for your wife.

[Cennet]

Acas act as independent go betweens between parties. If they are asked to convey an offer, they cannot refuse to do so. They also cannot question the amount and they do not have an opinion of the money being offered. Nothing said in conciliation is admissable at the Employment Tribunals so the Tribunals wont take a lot of notice what went on between the parties prior to a hearing - if indeed a case reaches one.

The parties would have received a letter from Acas with the name and contact number of the conciliator concerned so the voice on the phone would not be totally out of the blue. They would discuss with the parties, if needs be, the way that Tribunals award money and its up to the parties if they take notice of this and if they decide to accept any money that is being offered.

Also Kev100, were you acting for your wife i.e on record at the Employment Tribunal or just speaking on her behalf? I dont think anyone who has a duty to contact parties in a Tribunal case would liked to be called a scumbag - after all , that scumbag helped your wife reach a settlement for an awful lot of money!!!

[Cennet]

AND......Acas is completely independent from the Employment Tribunals Service . Acas is part of the Department of Trade and Industry whereas the Tribunals are run by the Department of Constitutional Affairs.