Frequently asked questions

2. What do I do if my employer is insolvent?

Redundancy and other payments and insolvent employers

If the tribunal has decided that you are entitled to a redundancy payment and you are having difficulty getting your former employer to pay you, or it made an award for unpaid wages, holiday pay, notice pay or guaranteed pay and your employer is insolvent, you should contact the Redundancy Payments Service at one of the following addresses.

3. Frequently asked questions about electronic claim and response forms

• Which form should I use?
  Individuals making a single claim or response should use the online form submission or the interactive PDF. Individuals who wish to submit a small number of claims should use the interactive PDF. Companies can use the data upload facility, online facility or the interactive PDF form.
• I have forgotten to save a copy of my form which I submitted electronically - what can I do?
  You should print a copy after you have submitted your form. If you forget to do this you can request a copy of your form from the office that received it. Refer to the list on pages 19–21 of the 'Making a claim' booklet.
• I want to use the data upload facility - can you give me help with XML?
  As we have no knowledge of your existing systems and platforms it would be difficult for us to advise you on the process. The ET1 data upload facility was designed for the use of corporations who have the resources of internal IT departments. Therefore we do not provide assistance with XML issues other than the specific ET form guidance that is available from our website
• Why do I need to use XML?
  XML is a programming language that is easily recognised by all systems. XML conversion software is readily available at reasonable cost. It is sensible that you, as a user handle the conversion, something which you can easily access, and we handle the technicalities of the submission facility, something which we can easily access
• Where do I find conversion packages?
  XML software conversion packages are easily sourced, use any search engine
• What software conversion package should I use?
  We do not recommend any particular packages to our users. As everyone has different systems and platforms it is sensible that your IT department source an appropriate package to suit your company
• My people say the XML file is fine - it's your problem!
  The system underwent extensive testing both internally and externally as well as piloted externally by co-operative parties. The system was designed to provide extensive easy to follow error messages, these in conjunction with the guidance available from our website are considered sufficient for users to identify the problems within their document. We suggest you contact your IT department for further investigation.
• Common submission errors
  Check the following, did you submit the:
  1. Correct document?
  2. Document as an XML file?
  3. Did you login successfully?
• Why do I have to register?
  We offer the registration facility as a service to our users. It provides them with personalised service i.e. corporate accounts and web page login. Registering means a company can create an account and add their staff members as users to that account.
• Why do I and my colleagues need to have separate user accounts?
  Separate accounts mean that users have the flexibility to use the service at the same time as well as manage their own accounts.
• How do I obtain copies of my previously submitted XML files?
  Due to the nature of the service we do not keep copies of the XML files submitted, therefore we strongly suggest that you implement a form of electronic record keeping system. Users are offered the option to print both a text and a PDF version of the form they have submitted, at the time of submission. Once the form is submitted it goes directly to the appropriate ET office. You would need to contact that office to request copies, in the usual manner
• How do I know which user submitted which file?
  As mentioned above, given the nature of the system we do not track such details. We only facilitate the electronic submission process on your behalf. You would need to rely on your own record keeping system.
• I need to change the person nominated as super user - how do I do this?
  You need to contact the Webmaster as the super user details are tied directly to the account. Please note, for your security, we would need accompanying confirmation from the existing super user that this action is necessary.
• Forgotten password: super user
  Contact the webmaster for password retrieval
• Forgotten password: sub user
  Contact your Account Manager (super user) who has access to these details and can reset your password. Please note that this action is not something our webmaster can help you with.
• Account deleted: company
  Please contact the webmaster. Accounts that are left inactive for three months or more will be automatically deleted.
• Account deleted: user
  Please contact your Account Manager (super user) for reinstatement of your account.
• When will a similar facility be offered for ET3 submission?
  We have designed a similar facility for ET3 submission which is currently undergoing extensive testing. We will publicise its introduction when we are satisfied it meets our stringent testing criteria.
• Venues: To find where Employment Tribunal offices are located go to http://www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk/venues/venues.htm or see our booklet "Making a Claim":
  http://www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk/about_us/document/Making_a_claim.pdf

4. General

• How do I know what browser program I am using?
  Most browser programs display their name when you start them and also in their "title" bar, which is the bar that runs along the top of the program. An easy way to tell which browser you are using is to access the "Help" menu.

• How do I enable JavaScript in my browser?