Advisory, concilation and arbitration service

Acas has just published its good practice advice jointly prepared with the DTI, CBI and TUC to help employers, employees and employee representatives to reach agreements in the light of the proposed Information and Consultation of Employees (ICE) Regulations coming into force on 6 April 2005. The advice, which is available on www.acas.org.uk, consists of a brief overview, plus a series of modules dealing with the core issues that people in organisations will need to deal with, i.e.

* Information
* Employee representation
* Methods and structures
* Handling restructuring
* Confidentiality
* Resolving disputes
* Maintaining effectiveness

In issuing the advice, the Acas Chair, Rita Donaghy, said she wanted to emphasise the importance of effective information and consultation arrangements in improving organisations and working life, which is Acasí core mission. The day-to-day experience of Acas staff that comes from involvement in workplaces across the country constantly reminds us that information and consultation are the basic building blocks of good employment relations. Employment rights and management decisions are never automatic in their effect. Critically important is that it is the dialogue that information and consultation makes possible that breathes life into the employment relationship, whether or not a trade union is recognised. She also added that Acas was committing considerable resources to help organisations to reach agreements dealing with information and consultation in the light of the Regulations, believing that this was the route to ownership and commitment.

Those wanting further help after studying the advice can call the Acas Helpline on 08457 47 47 47 to be put in touch with an Acas adviser who would be able to discuss the specific implications for their organisation. In the autumn, Acas will also be launching a package of training materials designed to help employers, employees and employee representatives introduce and maintain effective information and consultation arrangements in the light or the ICE Regulations. Acas secured a mandate from the CBI and the TUC to bid for funds from the European Commission to develop these materials, including study visits to the Netherlands and Germany.