The government is to press ahead with its strategy for resolving workplace disputes early, by diverting parties toward mediation and away from employment tribunals.

A response to a consultation on resolving workplace disputes, issued jointly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and HM Courts and Tribunals Service, said: ‘We are even more convinced about the role that mediation can play as one of the forms of early dispute resolution.’

The consultation, launched last January, received more than 400 responses. It focused on resolving disputes without the need for a tribunal using mediation and conciliation; amending overcomplicated and burdensome tribunal practices; and introducing tribunal fees.

The response said that increasing the use of mediation in workplace disputes could lead to a ‘major and dramatic shift’ in the culture of employment relations, which would reduce employers’ fear of tribunals and indirectly boost job creation.

Less than 50% of the business respondents to the consultation said they had used mediation. Planned measures include creating regional mediation networks by training representatives from small and medium-sized businesses.