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Acas helps businesses maintain good working environments by preventing and resolving employment disputes. With a comprehensive website, advice line and mediation service, Acas can help you keep yours a happy ship
Acas assistant director of individual conciliation, Ron Woods, tells Afsheen Latif how small businesses can benefit from his organisation's services. What kind of problems does Acas deal with?
RW: Almost every problem concerning employment rights or workplace relationships - including advice on managing absence, recruitment, discipline and grievance procedures and age-discrimination rules. What resources do you offer?
RW: On our website you can access free e-learning materials, advice and guidance on an A to Z list of employment topics, employment forms such as appraisal, grievance and evaluation forms, and all our publications. You can also sign up for our free newsletter, which includes articles on employment law. Does Acas help small businesses?
RW: Indeed. Our mediation service is available to all businesses that are encountering problems with workplace relationships - whether between employer and employee or among employees. What can I expect from mediation?
RW: A neutral Acas mediator will meet separately and jointly with those concerned to discuss their differences and options to find a mutually acceptable way forward. The mediator won't take sides or judge who is right or wrong, and they can't impose a particular solution. Our advisers are fully trained and experienced in all areas of employment rights and employment relations. How much does it cost?
RW: If your employee has made a claim against you to an employment tribunal, or is about to make a claim, Acas has a statutory duty to offer to help settle the claim free. Acas can also provide mediation on problems that have not yet reached that stage, in which case we charge £550 plus VAT per day to mediate between individuals. How do I get in touch?
RW: If you want to talk through a particular issue, you can call the Acas helpline on 08457 474747. Our website also gives the addresses of our 11 regional centres throughout the UK.
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