Employment tribunals are typically judged by their final legal outcome, with success or failure measured in terms of liability, compensation awards and precedent. However, this narrow lens can overlook the broader operational and human impact of proceedings. Claims can last many months, diverting management time, creating organisational uncertainty and placing emotional strain on those directly involved, with effects felt well before any judgment is delivered. As the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces changes expected to increase both the volume and complexity of cases, employers face growing pressure to understand the full cost of tribunal exposure, not just its financial dimension.
