Funding boost for workplace dispute service

Today, we’ve heard that the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) will be given £37m over three years to boost its helpline and advice services, and offer help at any stage of a dispute.

The government says the measures are part of a package designed to simplify the dispute resolution system with the aim of saving business and employees more than £175m a year. Also part of that package are provisions in the Employment Bill, which are currently before the House.

Minister for Employment Relations Pat McFadden says: "We want to move from the current overly rigid and legalistic process to one where there is more conciliation between employers and employees.

"This new system will strike a balance between ensuring workers can protect their rights through employment tribunals while helping them to resolve disputes as early as possible."

We can only hope this new system will work better than the current one. As HQUK founder Henry Goldenberg told me the other day: “Nearly all the legislation is aimed towards the employed and not the employer. It’s one-sided.

"It’s all very well that you can’t sack someone on the spot for misconduct, but they can walk out any time they like and you have to pay every penny.”

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