A revised code of practice on discipline and grievance handling in the workplace is now available on the Acas website. Although still officially in draft form (it has to be approved by parliament), it is due to come into force on 6 April 2009.
The code provides basic practical guidance to employers, employees and their representatives and sets out principles for handling disciplinary and grievance situations in the workplace.
Employers are not obliged to follow the code, but tribunals take it into account when considering relevant cases. Tribunals will be able to adjust any awards by up to 25 per cent if an employer or employee unreasonably fails to follow any provision of the code.
The revised code will be complimented by a non-statutory Acas guide providing more detailed good practice advice. This contains sample disciplinary and grievance procedures. Unlike the code, employment tribunals do not have to take account of the guidance booklet. A final version will be available on the Acas website as soon as possible.
The drafting of the revised code of practice was one of a number of recommendations which came out of the Government review of workplace dispute resolution carried out last year.
To download a copy, go to: www.acas.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=961&p=0