Early Conciliation of Employment Disputes

A new system was rolled out earlier this week requiring anyone with an employment dispute to first seek resolution before making an Employment Tribunal claim.

The Early Conciliation service, provided by Acas, is a new system of resolving grievances arising at work. This week marked the end of the transitional month, with the service now becoming mandatory for anyone with a problem at work who doesn't fall within an exemption.

If an employee and employer cannot come to an agreement, legal action can only be taken if an Acas Early Conciliation Reference Number is submitted with a claim lodged with an Employment Tribunal.

Acas Chair, Sir Brendan Barber, said: "Early Conciliation has got off to a very good start and has given us the chance to help more people resolve their disputes early as well as save taxpayers some of the cost of running the tribunal system."

The organisation reports that:

• Around 1000 people have contacted Acas about Early Conciliation every week since its launch;
• 98 per cent of those who have contacted Acas about Early Conciliation have decided to try the service;
• Even though there is an initial one month period for settling a claim, Acas' first Early Conciliation case was settled within 24 hours; and
• 100 employers have contacted Acas to try Early Conciliation.

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