ACAS Flashcards
(4 cards)
Advice
The advisory role is to give employers and employees a point of contact so that issues regarding employment law and procedures can be made clear. Any employer or employee can contact ACAS for advice, or to discuss appropriate steps to take to help resolve employment issues.
Conciliation
The conciliation process involves an invited independent ACAS conciliator discussing disputed workplace issues with both parties in order to help them reach a better understanding of each other’s position and underlying interest. The impartial conciliator tries to encourage the parties in dispute to come to an agreement between themselves and so avoid the disruption and expense of progressing the dispute through industrial action. With conciliation, the recommendations and advice given is in no way binding on either side.
Arbitration
Arbitration involves an impartial ACAS advisor being asked to make a decision on a dispute. The arbitrator makes a firm decision on a case, based on the evidence presented by the parties. Arbitration is voluntary, so both sides must agree to go to arbitration; they should also agree in advance that they will abide by the arbitrator’s decision. Arbitration is often used in collective employment-related disputes. For example, a trade union might be in dispute with an employer over the annual pay rise. The union could agree with the employer to ask ACAS to appoint an independent arbitrator from their panel to hear the two sides’ cases and then make an independent and impartial decision. Arbitration can also be used to settle individual disputes. For example, an individual and an employer might decide to go to arbitration to avoid the stress and expense of an employment tribunal.
What is ACAS
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is a 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.
