Discord needs new tune

Your report "Tribunal finds in favour of Gloucestershire whistleblower" (www.timeshighereducation.co.uk, 1 October) prompted comments online about institutions wasting money resisting employment tribunal claims.

The sector must think seriously about changing the costly way it deals with disputes. The costs include wasted management time, high legal fees, a negative impact on the lives of students and staff and reputational damage to institutions.

It is time for a radical overhaul. We are launching the Improving Dispute Resolution Advisory Service for Further and Higher Education, which has developed from one of the Higher Education Funding Council for England's Leadership, Governance and Management Fund projects. We would be glad to hear from institutions keen to take the lead in changing expectations and transforming the student and employee experience as well as their own in this important area of activity.

G. R. Evans, University of Cambridge

www.idras.org.uk.