{"id":189062,"date":"2024-07-09T01:36:44","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T00:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=189062"},"modified":"2025-05-08T04:34:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T03:34:35","slug":"function-of-acas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/employment\/function-of-acas\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Function of ACAS?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service<\/a> (ACAS) plays an important role in the employment landscape by promoting effective employment relations and mitigating disputes. As an employer, it is essential that you understand how you may take advantage of this free and confidential service to assist you with managing employees and maintaining workplace communication. Whilst ACAS does not replace the need to seek comprehensive legal advice, its codes of conduct, best practices, and assistance provide an outline of workplace expectations. Additionally, in many instances, you may be required to participate in early conciliation from ACAS first before escalating your dispute to the employment tribunal. This article will explore the pivotal role that ACAS plays in employment dispute management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is ACAS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In its earliest form, ACAS dates back to 1896, shortly after the Conciliation Act 1986<\/em> came into effect. The aim of the then-named \u2018conciliation and arbitration service\u2019 was to provide a free service from the government to employers and unions, advising on industrial relations and staff matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time, ACAS continued to transform, most notably in 1975, when it became officially recognised as a statutory body, meaning a body that has been established by law. Today, ACAS operates as an independent public body that receives funding from the government.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In more recent times, ACAS has continued to gain relevance in the employment sector. After the passing of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013<\/em>, there is a requirement that if you intend to lodge a claim for any employment-related dispute, you must notify ACAS first. Additionally, if an employee launches a claim<\/a> in the employment tribunal before commencing early conciliation through ACAS, their claim may be dismissed. However, you should keep in mind that early conciliation is not mandatory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With funding from the Department of Business and Trade, ACAS operates today as a non-governmental organisation with an independent council that determines its direction and functions. Consequently, ACAS provides impartial and confidential advice free of charge to both employers and employees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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2025 Key UK Employment Law Changes<\/div>\n
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This factsheet outlines key developments in 2025 affecting workforce management. In particular, the proposed Employment Rights Bill (2024) will drive significant changes, anticipated to start late 2025.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n\nDownload Now<\/a> <\/section>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

What Functions Does ACAS Have?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ACAS provides a wide range of services that can help your business maintain a harmonious and productive workplace environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In the financial year of 2022\u20132023, ACAS had over 14 million visits to its website and 105,000 early conciliation notifications, 72,000 of which were resolved through conciliation. Furthermore, over 41,000 people took its online training courses. These saved an estimated \u00a3100 million to the UK taxpayer, relieving pressure on the employment tribunal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Codes of Practice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ACAS issues codes of practice that provide guidance on various employment-related matters, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n