The Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures gives practical guidance for handling these issues in the workplace. Failure to follow the Code doesn’t make a person or organisation liable to proceedings, however, an employment tribunal will take it into account when considering relevant cases.

Key points

• Many potential disciplinary and grievance issues can be resolved informally.
• Employment Tribunals are legally required to take the Acas Code of Practice into account when considering relevant cases.
• Tribunal can adjust any awards made in relevant cases by up to 25 per cent for unreasonable failure to comply with any provisions of the code.
• Employers and employees should always look to resolve disciplinary and grievance issues in the workplace.
• A non-statutory guide (Discipline and grievances at work: The Acas guide) provides additional information on handling discipline and grievance solutions in the workplace.

More information and advice guides can be found here