At the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), we exist to make working life better for everyone in 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 and purpose at work.
Where there are problems at work, relationships suffer and there is a cost. In part, this is financial, paid for by businesses, workers and the wider economy. But there are 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 resolve them, fulfilling our legal responsibility.
At Acas, we lead the way in promoting good work and reducing disputes. Our success relies on our people working in partnership with employees and employers, academics and policymakers, trade union and business leaders.
Together, we make working life better for everyone in Britain.
Our strategy and ambitions
By 2030, our ambitions are:
- healthier employment relations
- better conflict management at work
- earlier dispute resolution
Our strategy 'Transforming British workplace relations' explains how we plan to achieve our ambitions by 2030.
Business plan
Our business plan sets out how we will progress achievement of these ambitions over the next year.
Annual report and accounts
Our annual report and accounts set out our achievements from the financial year 2024 to 2025.
Read the Acas annual report 2024 to 2025
Our values
Employers often come to us in their most difficult moments and employees at their lowest ebb. Both are looking for someone they can trust. To be worthy of that trust, we are expert, impartial, independent and fair.
Expert
We have been providing advice and conciliation to Britain's workplaces 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 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, we respect and value difference and aim to follow the highest standards. What we ask of others, we ask of ourselves too.