At the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), we exist to make working life better for everyone in Great Britain.
Our purpose
Healthy working relationships are critical, not just to the success of workplaces and the economy, but also because they allow people to flourish and find meaning, purpose, and fulfilment at work.
Where there are problems in working life, relationships suffer and there is a cost. In part, this is financial, paid for by businesses, workers, and the wider economy. But there are personal and emotional costs too, for everyone involved.
At Acas, we help people resolve these problems. We do so by thinking first about the people involved, helping them to have the open, honest conversations that are so often the solution. Whenever we can, we prevent disputes before they happen, through training and advice. But where they cannot be avoided, we do all we can to resolve them, fulfilling our legal responsibility.
At Acas, we lead the way in promoting good relationships at work and reducing disputes. Our success relies on our people working in partnership with workers and employers, academics and policymakers, trade union and business leaders.
Together, we make working life better for everyone in Great Britain.
Our values
Employers often come to us in their most difficult moments and workers at their lowest ebb. Both are looking for someone they can trust. To be worthy of that trust, we are expert, independent, impartial and fair.
Expert
We have been providing advice and conciliation to Great Britain for over a century. While work has changed beyond recognition, our insight and experience ensure we give the most up-to-date advice. We tackle new issues with authority.
Impartial
We work with all sides to help resolve conflict, treating each side equally. We can always be relied upon to give confidential advice and to be frank and honest.
Independent
We are publicly funded and have been independent since 1974. We act only to promote a better future at work.
Fair
A good workplace is a fair one. At Acas, inclusion is central to all we do – we respect and value difference and aim to follow the highest standards. What we ask of others, we ask of ourselves too.