ACAS code of practice on discipline and grievances in the workplace

The revised draft Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance procedures was laid in Parliament on 17 June 2004 and, subject to Parliamentary approval, is due to come into effect on 1 October 2004.

The Code has been revised to take account of the new statutory discipline and grievance procedures which come into operation on 1 October 2004. As well as giving practical guidance on the statutory procedures the code also advises on

* What is reasonable behaviour when dealing with disciplinary and grievance issues

* Producing and using disciplinary and grievance procedures for your own workplace and

* A worker’s right to bring a companion to grievance and disciplinary hearings.

There was an extensive public consultation exercise on the draft code earlier this year. Acas has taken the comments received into account in drawing up the revised version of the Code. The draft Code is available on the Acas website at