Engaging Staff

Clubs should ensure that they take more responsibility themselves. If the steward does employ someone without anyone from the Committee being present that does not invalidate the employment, as he is acting as an agent of the club. However, it is the club that is required torebut claims for unfair dismissal and not the steward.

At most the steward will be required as a material witness, but it is the Committee that would be summoned to appear at an industrial tribunal. If the members of the Committee are faced with the possibility of appearing at a Tribunal because of their treatment of an unsatisfactory staff member they should also consider whether they should be involved with the engagement of staff.

May 2003