Acas Releases 2009/10 Report
Released on: August 13, 2010, 6:43 am
Author: Acas
Industry: Human Resources
Acas’ 2009/10 annual report shows that it dealt with more than
900 collective disputes in the past year. Ninety-four per cent of
cases, including high profile disputes such as Royal Mail and Milford
Haven Port Authority, were either resolved or the parties were moved
towards a resolution.
The report also shows that Acas dealt with more than 85,000 (net) employment
tribunal cases for individual conciliation, an overall increase of 13% from
2008/2009 and the highest number ever. While the figure was a record for the year as
a whole the trend is now in reverse - the number of cases received for conciliation
in the second half of 2009/10 was three per cent lower than the equivalent period in
2008/09.
Nearly 10,000 cases were referred to pre-claim conciliation in 09/10 – the early
conciliation service which aims to resolve workplace issues before they escalate
into costly and stressful tribunal claims. In 70% of completed cases where PCC was
appropriate, tribunal claims have been avoided, saving time and money for taxpayers,
employers and workers. It is estimated that completing employment tribunal paper work alone costs employers on average £2,000 a case.
With a million calls, it was also a record year for the Acas helpline which provides
advice and guidance to employers and employees on workplace problems. Redundancy,
dismissals and discipline and grievance were the most popular topics.
Acas continues to play a critical role in helping employers find more creative ways
to avoid redundancy and boost economic recovery with more than 20,000 employers and
employees attending an Acas training course during the year.
Ed Sweeney, Acas chair, said: "Our new free early conciliation service is a real
success story. It has contributed to the downturn in new employment tribunal claims
in the second half of the year. Employers who have used the service tell us that
they are particularly impressed by the way it resolves disputes much more quickly
than tribunal claims.
"We continue to deal first hand with the effects of recession and the immense
strain it places on workplace relations. We are seeing signs of improvement with
employers and unions taking a more pragmatic approach by working together, looking
at ways to try and save jobs and avoid redundancy. This is in stark contrast to
previous recessions."
About Acas
Acas' aim is to improve organisations and working life through better employment
relations. It provides information, advice, training that explains current
legislation related to employment law training and a
range of services working with employers and employees to prevent or resolve
problems and improve performance, such as its model workplace tool. It is an independent
statutory body governed by a council consisting of the Acas chair and employer,
trade union and independent members.
For more information about Acas or this PR, please contact:
Lou Owen
Media and Marketing Officer
Acas National
Euston Tower
286 Euston Road
NW1 3JJ
020 7271 3920
www.acas.org.uk
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