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The legislation governing how businesses
deal with disputes with their employees is
changing from April 2009. The new simpler
and more flexible system is intended to
save businesses time and money.
Acas, the employment relations service,
have now issued a new Code of Practice
following parliamentary approval and
accompanying guidance which will lays out
the principles and provides practical
guidance on procedures for handling
disciplinary and grievance matters in the
workplace.
The Employment Act 2008:
- repeals the mandatory three-step
process for discipline/grievance issues;
and
- allows employment tribunals to
adjust awards by up to 25% if an
employee or employer has acted
unreasonably in not following the
principles in the new Acas Code.
The Government is providing additional
help for all employers to get the maximum
benefit out of this new system by working
with Acas.
From April 2009, help on the new rules
will be available from the Acas helpline
on 08457 47 47 47. Trained Acas
conciliators will also be available
throughout the country to help resolve
workplace problems.
Acas are also running a variety of
courses aimed at helping businesses during
a recession, such as redundancy and
restructuring, managing people in
difficult times, understanding and
managing redundancy, varying a contract of
employment, and employment law update.
Internet links:
HMRC employer bulletin Acas
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