Productivity and management: research and commentary | Acas

Publications and commentary about the benefits for organisations and individuals of good quality work, including managing the impact of covid-19 (coronavirus) and how to build better working conditions.

Research and discussion papers

A time for consensus: how can workplace collaboration be built from organisation to nation?

Acas policy paper calling for a renewed focus on employment relations built on collaboration, partnerships and shared problem-solving.

Acas discussion paper, 12 May 2025

Resilient growth and social responsibility: an emerging model

Acas, CIPD and the Royal Society of Arts, with Ipsos3 Strategy briefing paper with a model of social responsibility impacts.

Acas discussion paper, 12 May 2025

Building back: making working lives better

How to build better working conditions based on compassion, trust and equality after the coronavirus pandemic.

Acas discussion paper, 23 July 2020

Consultation: a voice lost in a crowd

The value and importance of employee voice and consultation.

Acas discussion paper, 30 June 2020

New technology and the world of work: the winners and the losers

Report into the impact of new technology in the workplace.

Acas discussion paper, 1 May 2019

Can work be both productive and good?

Findings from YouGov survey of top workplace issues for employees in the UK, commissioned by Acas

Acas discussion paper, 1 February 2019

Improvement required? Study of performance management systems

Review of performance management systems by NatCen Social Research.

Independent research, 1 October 2018

Flexibility in the workplace: implications of flexible work arrangements

How flexible working impacts on individuals, the team and organisational effectiveness.

Independent research, 1 July 2017

Blogs and articles

Are we all disruptive innovators now?

Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews looks at managing the unexpected and finding innovation in disruption.

Acas blog, 13 April 2022

Why we need a new workplace contract – LinkedIn website

Acas's Gill Dix looks at the need to redefine the relationship between employer and employee.

21 October 2020

The careful and considered approach to dealing with redundancies

Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews on managing redundancies during the covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Acas blog, 5 August 2020

Building better workplaces for everyone after covid-19 – People Management website

Former Acas chair Sir Brendan Barber on why building back after the pandemic must extend to all types of worker.

23 July 2020

Workforce resilience: adaptation based on reflection

Sir Brendan Barber discusses resilience and collective healing as we adapt to new ways of working.

Acas blog, 21 July 2020

A meeting by any other name

Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews gives her views on employee voice as a part of consultation.

Acas blog, 30 June 2020

Contact our research and policy teams

Research team

For more information about Acas research, email research@acas.org.uk.

Workplace policy team

For more information or to sign up for updates about Acas publications, email workplacepolicy@acas.org.uk.