Age discrimination claims rising steadily, employment tribunal statistics show

There has been a steady increase in the number of age discrimination claims being brought in employment tribunals, with the number of claims going up from 3,800 in 2008/09 to 5,200 in 2009/10 and increasing again to 6,800 in 2010/11, according to Tribunals Service statistics. 

The Tribunals Service's annual figures, which cover the period from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, show that employment tribunals received a total of 218,100 claims during 2010/11, an 8% fall compared to 2009/10, but a 44% increase on 2008/09. There was a 15% fall in single claims and a 4% fall in multiple claims. 

Comparing 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010 with 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, the number of cases brought in some of the main employment tribunal jurisdictions has fallen, including claims for:

  • unfair dismissal from 57,400 to 47,900;
  • breach of contract from 42,400 to 34,600; and
  • equal pay from 37,400 to 34,600. 

The number of religion or belief discrimination claims, several of which have been high profile in the past year, has actually fallen slightly, down from 1,000 in 2009/10 to 880 in 2010/11. 

Also

Tribunal update: Indian employee forced to adopt anglicised alias We provide summaries of recent employment tribunal rulings, including an Indian telesales employee who was instructed by his employer to adopt an anglicised alias at work. 

Religious discrimination: Christian Legal Centre has over 50 cases on its books The Christian Legal Centre is providing free legal support in over 50 cases in which individuals with Christian beliefs are claiming religious discrimination, reports the Guardian website.