CWU EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL PANEL

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 16 Dec 2013, 16:11

LTB 0846/13 CWU EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL PANEL

No. 846/2013

Ref SS/CF

Date: 16th December 2013

To All Branches

Dear Colleagues

Re: CWU EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL PANEL

As Branches will be aware, the CWU's Employment Tribunal Panel consists of experienced CWU representatives, some of whom have recently retired from their employment. Panel members assist the Legal Services Department in assessing applications from members for representation at Employment Tribunal Hearings.

Such assistance can take the form of reviewing paperwork, discussing cases with applicants and representing members at hearings.

The panel continues to work well and the benefit to members of having access to colleagues who have such a depth of relevant experience is very significant.

However, we would like to see a better gender balance on the panel. Thus expressions of interest in becoming a panel member are particularly sought from suitably experienced female members.

Such expressions of interest should be registered by email to adelahaye@cwu.org. Please include your Branch and contact information and we will follow up with those who respond in the new year.

There is no closing date for such expressions of interest, but an early response would be appreciated. Any queries on this LTB should be directed to the Legal Services (Employment Law) Department.

Yours sincerely

Simon Sapper

Acting Head of Legal Services

Himaggen · Post by **Himaggen** » 16 Dec 2013, 19:50

If there is a need to redress the gender imbalance does that not suggest that the current panel cannot be trusted to act impartially and without bias.

fishtank · Post by **fishtank** » 16 Dec 2013, 20:14

Himaggen wrote:If there is a need to redress the gender imbalance does that not suggest that the current panel cannot be trusted to act impartially and without bias.

What it suggests is that female members of staff also end up at employment tribunals and it might be nice if they could have some advice from an experienced female rep/colleague.

I can't really see anything wrong with that....can you?

Post by **Lincox** » 16 Dec 2013, 20:26

Fish you are going to have to change your Avitar. I thought it was now a No vote.

daveyeff · Post by **daveyeff** » 17 Dec 2013, 16:20

well im voting no. but it,ll be a yes sadly

Himaggen · Post by **Himaggen** » 17 Dec 2013, 20:04

fishtank wrote:
Himaggen wrote:If there is a need to redress the gender imbalance does that not suggest that the current panel cannot be trusted to act impartially and without bias.
What it suggests is that female members of staff also end up at employment tribunals and it might be nice if they could have some advice from an experienced female rep/colleague.

I can't really see anything wrong with that....can you?

It may be nice, and I've no doubt that having panel consisting of a variety of types of people would be beneficial.

I just don't see why a role dealing with regulations, procedures and facts needs to specify a particular gender unless the current panel is lacking in some special skills only held by that gender. I cannot immediately see it and due to discrimination rules I'm intrigued to know what those skills are.

If I was advertising this opportunity I'm sure an overview of these skills would be included, not just...

assessing applications
reviewing paperwork
discussing cases
representing members

...none of which require a gender specific appointment.