1523 — New laws increase demand for ACAS helpline

Oct 19, 2004 | Conteúdos Em Ingles

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) helpline has seen a 25 percent increase in calls in the last two weeks – up from 20,000 per week to 25,000 – mainly from employers asking about the new legislation on dispute resolution in the workplace. Acas services are delivered across England, Scotland and Wales.
 

“The new laws set minimum standards employers must comply with if considering disciplining employees. Our handbook and free online training provide a good foundation for best practice but our experienced staff are always available to give personal advice via the national helpline. It is a tribute to the professionalism of our helpline staff that awareness of the new laws on resolving disputes have prompted so many calls to them for advice”, noted John Taylor, ACAS Chief Executive.

On the release note, it is said that Acas helpline (08457 47 47 47), between 2003/4 received almost 800,000 calls, 36 percent from employers, 55 percent from employees and 9 percent representing someone else. The top three topics were: discipline and dismissal (19%); contract matters (18%); lay-offs, short-term working, redundancy and transfer of undertakings (17%). The helpline is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.

2004-10-19