A Without Prejudice letter can be used to start settlement negotiations with your employer anytime, before or after you've made a claim to the Employment Tribunal. By using 'Without Prejudice' in a letter, you can ensure your conversations stay “off-the-record” and can't be used in any court proceedings.
A protected conversation (also known as a “pre-termination negotiation” is a legal 'off the record' discussion that you can have with your employer regarding concerns that your employer may have about your continued employment (for example, regarding your performance) and any settlement package that they are prepared ...
The requirements of a without prejudice communication are therefore: That there is an existing dispute at the time of the communication; A settlement offer is made; This settlement offer is made in a genuine attempt to settle this dispute.
Best practice would be to invite the employee to a meeting for an initial discussion. The important words to say or write at the start of any communication is that you are having a protected conversation (and ideally, state that it is being carried out pursuant to Section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996).
Best practice would be to invite the employee to a meeting for an initial discussion. The important words to say or write at the start of any communication is that you are having a protected conversation (and ideally, state that it is being carried out pursuant to Section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996).
There is no harm in agreeing to have a protected conversation. Go, take notes and clarify any points that have been made.
I would like to have a meeting about the possibility of bringing my employment to an end by way of a settlement agreement. I understand that, under section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996, this meeting should be conducted by way of a protected conversation. Please could you let me know a convenient time.
111A mean that pre-termination settlement negotiations cannot normally be referred to as evidence in an unfair dismissal claim, even where there was no 'existing dispute' between the parties at the time that the settlement offer and discussions took place.
Exceptions when the “without prejudice” offer was induced by undue influence or misrepresentation and the offended party wants to exit the agreement made; when there is a need to explain a delay in proceedings; when “without prejudice” negotiations induce a party to do certain things giving rise to an estoppel;
Without Prejudice Meaning The basic meaning of 'without prejudice' is that statements made in the settlement of an existing dispute cannot be relied upon as evidence against the interests of the relevant party if negotiations fail and the parties then have to formally engage in a dispute resolution procedure.