Who are ACAS and what do they do? 

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) is a Crown non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom. Its purpose is to improve organisations and working life through the promotion and facilitation of strong industrial relations practice. 

 

But what does this really mean?  

Well ACAS help both the employee and employer with lots of different things, they also offer free impartial (not taking either side) advice, they get paid by the government therefore they will not favour the employer just because they would get a paycheck. 

ACAS can help you with advice on the disciplinary process, they offer online advice on how the process works and what rights you have to appeal. 

Grievance is also something that ACAS will give advice on, this includes the steps to follow to ensure you are going the right way about the grievance, or on the other side of it if you have a grievance logged against you, ACAS will inform you of your rights and make sure you know how the grievance should be dealt with appropriately.  

If an Organisation fails to follow ACAS guidelines dealing with a Disciplinary or Grievance, the organisation can be taken to a tribunal. 

However, that is not all ACAS can offer advice on, if you want to know your rights as an Employee they offer free advice on Employment rights, best practice and policies and advice on resolving workplace conflict before it becomes a bigger issue.  

 

So, to get advice on employment law and workplace relations you can Get a lot of online advice, however if you need a more personal touch there is also an ACAS helpline. 

Visit www.acas.org.uk for help and more information.