The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has reacted to the high level of employment disputes and unfair dismissal tribunals in the golf industry by introducing a new service to its members, which will also be of benefit to golf clubs.
The new mediation service will provide a professionally trained mediator who will act to resolve disputes between employee and employer; maintain a positive relationship with the other party once a dispute has been resolved; ensure confidentiality in a dispute and also to control what would otherwise be escalating legal costs.
This benefit is provided by York-based General Legal Protection Ltd, which has provided BIGGA’s Legal Protection Scheme since 1999. It is an addition to the current benefit which already covers a 24 hour legal helpline and, in certain cases, funds the legal costs of instructing a solicitor to represent the member. The new service will be provided at no additional cost to the BIGGA member.
“There are many situations where mediation can be used to help come to mutually beneficial solutions to improve or resolve issues between parties and we are very pleased that GLP, and our brokers Heath Lambert Ltd, have enabled us to be able to offer this service to members of the BIGGA Legal Protection Scheme,” said BIGGA chief executive, John Pemberton.
“A successful mediation is of benefit to all parties as unresolved disputes can quickly escalate to termination of employment for the greenkeeper and on the other side legal costs for a golf club and/or the cost of advertising a now-vacant position,” added John.
BIGGA www.bigga.org.uk
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