ADVISORY,
CONCILIATION AND ARBITRATION SERVICE News Release issued by The
Government News Network on 28 July 2008
Acas, the
employment relations service, today released new figures showing
that employment tribunals and potential employment tribunal claims
passed to Acas for conciliation rose a quarter (24.9%) on last
year. Despite the statistics, Acas - in its 2007/8 annual report -
also revealed that it exceeded its performance targets for the
year, demonstrating key contributions made to improving
organisations and working life through better employment relations.
Headline statistics from the report include:
* Acas conciliation succeeded in reducing the potential workload
of Employment Tribunals by 75%, slightly up on last year.
* 81% of workplaces reported an improvement in employment
relations following intervention by Acas advisers compared to the
70% target that was set.
* The percentage of users for whom guidance helped solve a
problem at work or reassured them they had taken the right course
of action was 76%, exceeding the target of 65%.
Ed Sweeney, Acas Chair, said: "These figures from the annual
report really speak for themselves. Acas has continued to play a
central role in the employment relations arena not only in
resolving disputes but also in providing valuable advice and
guidance to employers and employees."
One of the high profile successes of the last year was the role
Acas played behind the scenes in helping resolve the Royal Mail
dispute alongside the Trades Union Congress, preventing widespread
disruption for UK businesses. Acas also continued to address
issues at the forefront of the workplace, including health and
wellbeing and vulnerable workers. Pilot schemes in Birmingham and
London aimed at helping vulnerable workers are ongoing.
Looking ahead to 2009, Acas will be preparing for the
implementation of the new dispute resolution system, following the
Gibbons review and announcement in February by Pat McFadden that
Acas will receive up to £37 million extra funding over the next
three years.
John Taylor, Acas Chief Executive, said: "Much of our work
over the next 12 months will focus on expanding our services and
intervening earlier in individual disputes in anticipation of the
changes to the law from the Employment Bill which is likely to
come into effect in April 2009."
Research published in November last year by the National
Institute of Economic and Social Research showed that for every
pound spent by Acas, over £16 is returned, generating benefits
worth almost £800 million a year across UK businesses, employees
and the economy.
ENDS
Employers and employees can find further guidance and advice, via
the Acas website http://www.acas.org.uk or the
helpline 08457 47 47 47.
Notes to editors
1 Acas' aim is to improve organisations and working life
through better employment relations. It provides information,
advice, training and a range of services working with employers
and employees to prevent or resolve problems and improve
performance. It is an independent statutory body governed by a
Council consisting of the Acas Chair and employer, trade union and
independent members.
2 The Acas annual report can be downloaded from http://www.acas.org.uk.
3 Research published by the National Institute of Economic and
Social Research shows that for every pound spent by Acas, over £16
is returned, generating benefits worth almost £800 million a year
across UK businesses, employees and the economy.
Acas National
Brandon House, 180 Borough High Street, London
SE1 1LW
http://www.acas.org.uk