Acas seeks views on new disciplinary and grievance code

Acas has launched a consultation into its code of practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures.

The conciliation service hopes that an updated code will help employers handle disputes at work in a fairer and more transparent way. It was last fully revised in 2009.

The code of practice applies where there is potential for disciplinary action against a worker or where an employee faces a formal concern or grievance.

Employment tribunals take the code into account when assessing if procedures have been handled fairly, and failure to adhere to the code can result in uplifts or reductions in compensatory awards of up to 25%.

The consultation has opened alongside new research from Acas showing that managing formal disciplinary and grievance procedures costs UK employers £2.36 billion per year.

If employers took more informal routes, it argues, the annual cost would be around 10 times lower, at £250 million.

When asked what would help their employer resolve workplace conflict, respondents to Acas' survey listed having a good working relationship with a colleague (58%); a shared willingness to find a solution (53%); and a workplace culture that supports open conversations (52%).

The current code of practice emphasises that many disciplinary and grievance issues can be resolved informally and sets out how employers can carry out fair investigations and communicate with employees during the process.

Acas chair Baroness Maggie Jones, said: "Acas research shows that formal processes can be very costly for everyone involved. Effective early intervention in conflict saves money and time as well as promoting staff wellbeing and productivity.

"Our new Code reflects the benefits of handling work issues early and informally. It will help employers and workers handle concerns in a way that's fair, transparent and timely. I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation."

The consultation on the draft code of practice closes on 23 September 2026.