Section 129: Procedure on hearing of application and making of order., Employment Rights Act 1996

This section applies where, on hearing an employee's application for interim relief, it appears to the tribunal that it is likely that on determining the complaint to which the application relates the tribunal will find—

that the reason (or if more than one the principal reason) for the dismissal is one of those specified in—

section 100(1)(a) and (b), 101A(1)(d), 102(1), 103 or 103A, or

paragraph 161(2) of Schedule A1 to the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, or

that the reason (or, if more than one, the principal reason) for which the employee was selected for dismissal was the one specified in the opening words of section 104F(1) and the condition in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection was met.

The tribunal shall announce its findings and explain to both parties (if present)—

what powers the tribunal may exercise on the application, and

in what circumstances it will exercise them.

The tribunal shall ask the employer (if present) whether he is willing, pending the determination or settlement of the complaint—

to reinstate the employee (that is, to treat him in all respects as if he had not been dismissed), or

if not, to re-engage him in another job on terms and conditions not less favourable than those which would have been applicable to him if he had not been dismissed.

For the purposes of subsection (3)(b) "terms and conditions not less favourable than those which would have been applicable to him if he had not been dismissed" means, as regards seniority, pension rights and other similar rights, that the period prior to the dismissal should be regarded as continuous with his employment following the dismissal.

If the employer states that he is willing to reinstate the employee, the tribunal shall make an order to that effect.

If the employer—

states that he is willing to re-engage the employee in another job, and

specifies the terms and conditions on which he is willing to do so,

the tribunal shall ask the employee whether he is willing to accept the job on those terms and conditions.

If the employee is willing to accept the job on those terms and conditions, the tribunal shall make an order to that effect.

If the employee is not willing to accept the job on those terms and conditions—

where the tribunal is of the opinion that the refusal is reasonable, the tribunal shall make an order for the continuation of his contract of employment, and

otherwise, the tribunal shall make no order.

If on the hearing of an application for interim relief the employer—

fails to attend before the tribunal, or

states that he is unwilling either to reinstate or re-engage the employee as mentioned in subsection (3),

the tribunal shall make an order for the continuation of the employee's contract of employment.

Section 129: Procedure on hearing of application and making of order.

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