Government of Jersey

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A decision made (18/05/2009) regarding: Employment Tribunal Side Members - Extension of Appointments.

Decision Reference: MD-S-2009-0022
Decision Summary Title :	DS - JET extensions 6May09		Date of Decision Summary:	6 May 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Kate Morel, Policy Principal		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR - JET extensions 6May09		Date of Written Report:	6 May 2009
Written Report Author:	Kate Morel		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Employment Tribunal Side Members – Extension of Appointments
Decision(s): The Minister decided to present a written Report notifying the States that the terms of three Side Members of the Jersey Employment Tribunal will be extended.
Reason(s) for Decision: The initial four year terms of three of the Employment Tribunal’s Side Members end on 22 June 2009. The Employment Tribunal (Jersey) Regulations 2005 provide at a member’s written request, he or she is entitled to extend their term of office for a further term of up to five years. The three members have chosen the following extensions to their terms: Mr Peter Woodward has requested a five year extension. Mrs Susan Armes has requested a three year extension. Mr James McCartan has requested a five year extension. It is not necessary to request States approval of the extended appointments; however the Minister wishes to present a Report notifying the States as a matter of good order.
Resource Implications: There are no financial or manpower implications.
Action required: Kate Morel to ask the Greffier of the States to present a Report notifying the States prior to 22 June.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Employment Tribunal Side Members - Extension of Appointments.

REPORT TO BE PRESENTED BY

THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

Employment Tribunal Side Members – Extension of Appointments

Background

The maximum number of members that may be appointed to the Jersey Employment Tribunal is 18 members; a Chairman, a Deputy Chairman, eight ‘employee’ Side Members and eight ‘employer’ Side Members.

In 2005, the appointments of 14 Tribunal members were approved by the States. Terms were offered on a staggered basis, varying between one and five years, to ensure that the terms of all those appointed did not expire on the same day, to provide continuity in the composition of the Tribunal.

A further period of recruitment in 2008 resulted in the appointment of four additional Side Members. One of those members has since resigned and that Side Member position is currently vacant. The 17 other positions on the Employment Tribunal are currently filled.

The Tribunal Regulations

The Employment Tribunal (Jersey) Regulations, 2005, provide that Tribunal members are appointed by the States initially, but if a member chooses to take a second (and final) term, up to the maximum of five years, they are entitled to do so. This is in order to secure the tenure of persons appointed to offices in which their independence should be protected.

Extension of appointments

The first terms of the following three Side Members expire on 22 June 2009.

Mr Peter Woodward is a Human Resources Consultant, Executive Coach and is also a Convenor of the Guernsey Employment and Discrimination Panel. Mr Woodward has chosen a five year extension to his term.

Mrs Susan Armes is the Human Resources Director of the Seymour Hotels Group and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Mrs Armes’ has chosen a three year extension to her term.

Mr James McCartan is the Unite Convener for Connex and Unite Chairman for the Jersey District Committee . Mr McCartan has chosen a 5 year extension to his term.

I am grateful to the three Side Members for requesting second terms on the Employment Tribunal and I would like to thank all of the Employment Tribunal members, the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and the Secretary for their continued hard work and commitment.