Proposed Changes To The ACAS Code: Have Your Say

ACAS’s proposed revisions to its code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures represent the most significant update to the framework in years. 

While many of the suggested changes reflect what employers already regard as good employee relations practice, several proposals could have important implications for how organisations handle workplace concerns, disciplinary matters and capability issues. ACAS has launched a consultation on the revised draft, and employers are encouraged to respond in order to help to shape the code so that it is relevant and workable.

The key proposed changes to the code are explored in this article.

Extending the code to workers

A potentially significant development is the proposal to extend elements of the code beyond employees to include workers. From a practical perspective, this reflects the modern workforce and the increasing prevalence of non-traditional working arrangements. However, the proposal also creates some uncertainty.