acas

ACAS, or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, is an independent public body in the United Kingdom that provides free, impartial information and advice on workplace relations and employment law. It assists employers, employees, and trade unions by offering guidance on rights and responsibilities, helping to resolve disputes through conciliation, and supplying training and resources to improve workplace practices.

ACAS operates under statutory and contractual duties set by the government and is funded by public funds. While it remains independent of employers and unions, its remit is to promote fairer workplaces, reduce disputes, and increase productivity through guidance, mediation, and standards-based resources.

Key services include confidential workplace guidance via telephone, online resources, and advisory publications; dispute resolution through conciliation and mediation; guidance on disciplinary and grievance procedures; and training programs for managers and HR professionals. ACAS also publishes codes of practice and sector guidance that influence employment practice in the UK. Since 2014, individuals seeking to pursue most unresolved employment disputes must obtain an Early Conciliation reference from ACAS before submitting a claim to an employment tribunal.

ACAS’ work is widely used by businesses and public sector bodies as a resource for compliant employment practices. It supports policy development in workplace relations and publishes statistical data and reports on employment issues, contributing to broader debates on employment rights and workplace culture.