People are being put off holding unfair employers to account by too-high fees and a lack of awareness about support, according to new findings based on a survey of 361 people who have been having problems at work. The Citizens Advice report, ‘Fairer fees: Fixing the employment tribunal system’, finds:

– More than four in five (82%) said the current fee prices would make them less likely to claim or deter them from claiming altogether.

– The income of people with employment troubles highlighted the problems with the level of fees. Over four in ten (43%) had a household income of less than £46 a week after essential bills.

– Only three in ten (30%) were aware of eligible financial support for those on low incomes. Half who thought they weren’t eligible actually were.

– Over half (53%) didn’t know what they could get out of making a claim and therefore whether it was financially worth their while.

– Four in five (80%) said they raised issues with their employer before taking further action.

The research also showed that whilst people were put off by too-high fees, a clear majority would be willing to pay a fee. Nine in ten (90%) said they would not be put off by a £50 fee.

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