The majority of employers are eager to see the current Statutory Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (SDGPs) abolished, according to the results of a survey.

The survey, carried out by UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, found that 70% of employers would like to see SDGPs replaced with a different compulsory dispute mechanism, although there was dispute over what form the replacement would take, with almost half of respondents favouring compulsory mediation.

The Employment Bill, which is due for its second reading in the House of Lords on 7 January, will abolish ‘rigid’ statutory processes for dispute resolution and will make new provisions for the resolution of employment disputes.

Blair Adams, an employment law specialist at Shepherd and Wedderburn, says:"According to our survey, mediation is a popular alternative amongst employers, but establishing a national system of mediation would be a bold and expensive step."

The survey also found that 92% thought that low value, straightforward tribunal claims should be fast tracked and either heard by a Chairman sitting alone or on paper without a hearing.