Acas South East has a comprehensive range of services we provide to support organisations throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Kent and Surrey.
The past year has been very much a "mixed bag" for businesses and organisations across the South East Region. Many businesses, large and small, have had to re-structure their businesses, financial arrangements and human resources. On the other hand there are signs of new business activity. Whilst good to see, there remains little certainty as to whether these positive signs will be sustained.
Through good times and tough times, we work with employers and employees to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. For advice and guidance you can make an appointment to come in and see us, arrange for an adviser to visit or discuss issues over the phone.
Dispute resolution in the South East
If you are involved in a dispute or disagreement at work, whether it involves individuals, groups of people or the whole workforce, Acas can help resolve it. Our aim is for you to reach an acceptable solution without having to go through any kind of court hearing, such as an Employment Tribunal. We can advise on ways of managing conflict and dealing with disputes or act as a neutral third party.
Individual conciliation
Acas has a legal duty to offer conciliation when someone has made an employment tribunal claim about a breach of their employment rights. There is no charge for conciliation; it is independent, confidential and impartial. We aim to support all parties in finding a solution that both find acceptable which then becomes legally binding. 75% of cases handled by our conciliators are either settled or withdrawn.
Pre-claim conciliation
Since April 2009, Acas has been providing an alternative route to settling workplace disputes. The aim of pre-claim conciliation is to try to resolve disputes on the verge of becoming an employment tribunal claim. With an average cost of £2000 in management time just to defend a employment tribunal claim, pre-claim conciliation can save both time and money.
To access the pre-claim conciliation service call the Acas Helpline on 08457 47 47 47.
Collective conciliation
Collective conciliation provides a means whereby groups (employers and employee representatives) can be helped to reach a mutually acceptable settlement of their dispute by an independent and impartial third party.
It provides a way of opening up communications so that parties can see each others point of view and find a way forward that everyone can sign up to. It is mostly used in disputes on pay, changes to working practices, union recognition and variations to terms and conditions of employment.
Collective conciliation can save time, money and reputation. The quicker a dispute is resolved the better. Conflict which escalates out of hand can be extremely damaging to the business.
Mediation
Many Employment Tribunal claims start with a tiny spark - an employee with a problem not taken seriously, a badly handled disciplinary or a simple misunderstanding between people - which is then fanned into a flame and spreads like a wild fire. Help from someone independent and even handed like Acas may be the only way things can be improved.
Mediation is particularly suitable when the aim is to maintain the employment relationship. It can be used at any stage in a dispute but is often most effective when used early on. Mediation may not be suitable if you want to enforce a legal right or have someone decide the "rights and wrongs" of an issue for you.
For further information contact the Acas Customer Services Team on 08457 38 37 36 or email events@acas.org.uk.
We are also running several training courses in mediation to enable you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to mediate in disputes within your workplace. Further information is available from our Acas South East training page.
Equality and diversity in the South East
Fairness and equality for many people is now no longer an aspiration but an expectation. We all get on so much better in the workplace when everyone is treated with respect and issues are dealt with as fairly and openly as possible.
To help achieve this in the workplace it is vital that organisations have effective policies on equality and diversity but also how to use them to best effect. Acas can help organisations by conducting free consultations and by providing good practice advice.
Free equality and diversity consultations
Book an appointment (1.5 hours) for a free equality and diversity consultation. An Acas equality and diversity adviser will take you through the employment life-cycle, from recruitment to employment exit, benchmarking your current employment policies and procedures against the related Codes of Practice.
Where you have existing policies we ask that you send these ahead of your appointment so the adviser can review them beforehand. If you do not have any then the consultation is a good place to start for best practice advice in putting together policies and procedures.
For further information contact the Acas Customer Services Team on 08457 38 37 36 or email events@acas.org.uk.
Training solutions available in the South East
We provide practical solutions to every day employment problems.
Our open access training events are designed for delegates from all organisations and are delivered by experienced Acas trainers whose expertise is geared towards delivering down to earth advice and solutions.
The training sessions are kept to small groups which allows you to discuss issues with the trainers, ask questions and share experiences with delegates from other organisations.
Further information is available from our Acas South East training page.
Alternatively, why travel to a training session when we can bring the training to you? We can deliver the training at your premises or somewhere else if you prefer.
Who better to coach you on the Acas Codes of Practice than Acas?
In-company training
We carry out a free initial assessment of what your company requires. Our experienced trainers then design and deliver practical, flexible training packages to meet your requirements.
We can discuss the issues with you over the phone or meet with you at your workplace. Our initial discussion with you is always free and our charges thereafter are extremely competitive at £835 plus VAT for a full day (approximately 6 hours) and £520 plus VAT for a half day (approximately 3 hours).
In addition to topics covered by our open access training events we are happy to look at any other employment related training you require.
For further information contact the Acas Customer Services Team on 08457 38 37 36 or email events@acas.org.uk.
Are you LinkedIn? Join the Acas South East HR Discussion Group
Acas South East would like to invite you to join the Acas South East HR and Employment Relations Discussion Group.
This group will provide you with the latest news and developments from Acas South East. You can also join in the discussion on the latest news and hot topics affecting the workplace with other HR professionals.
Stay connected
Free Sign up for Acas news and notifications. Acas is moving many of its communications to electronic format to reduce waste and to lower our carbon footprint. Communications may include updates about changes in employment legislation, related news, HR advisory features, events and training in your area.
Please note that Acas will not share your registration information with any third parties.
