Compromise Agreement Payments made by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead increases

The amount the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead has paid employees for compromise agreements have almost trebled in the last year, enquiries under the Freedom of Information Act revealed.

Compromise Agreements are signed when an employee or former employee accepts payment to end a minor dispute in the workplace, and to avoid any further actions made against their employer. The settlement ensures that claims cannot be pursued in tribunals or through court.

Figures showed that the fee paid out to current and ex-employees by the Royal Borough increased from £122,150.83 (2011/12) to £328,185.19 (2012/13).

The number of staff who had signed a deal also increased from 4 employees to 15 in 2012/13, the highest figure recorded in six years.

Some of those settled disputes included unfair dismissal due to discrimination, breach of contract and unfair salary payments with the majority made after 60 staff members were made redundant.

Since figures were revealed, representatives at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead were surprised by the increase in compromise agreement pay-outs.

Alan Barwise, the deputy vice-chairman of the Royal Borough branch of UNISON expressed his views, "That's quite shocking. Three or four I can understand, but I think 15 people feeling the need to do that is shocking."

With further redundancies planned for 2014, figures are expected to rise again.

If you were recently made redundant or feel you were treated unfairly by your employer, speak to one of our Compromise Agreement solicitors at Lee Chadwick today for a free initial chat.

We will assess your circumstances and inform you if there is potential to pursue a claim for payment.

Lee Chadwick 
Compromise Agreement Solicitors
Witney, Kidlington, London, Oxford

Tel: 0845 603 0708