Acas has published a new draft Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures (the Code) for consultation. If adopted, it would be a significant shift: more emphasis on early, informal resolution; clearer expectations on suspension, accompaniment and reasonable adjustments; and a broader framing of workplace 'concerns'.
The consultation opened on 30 July 2026 and closes on 23 September 2026.
The draft Code lands against a busy backdrop of employment law reform, including the Employment Rights Act 2025. Acas’ 2025–2030 strategy also focuses on preventing workplace conflict and meeting increasing demand for Acas support.
The case for change is clear. Acas says formal disciplinary and grievance procedures cost UK employers 2.36bn each year. Its 2026 research also found that 44% of working-age adults in Great Britain experienced workplace conflict in the previous 12 months. At the same time, Employment Tribunal backlogs remain significant, with some cases facing waits of five years or more to reach a final hearing.
The central question is therefore simple: can more workplace disputes be resolved before they become litigation and will this new draft Code help with that?
Acas is seeking views from employers, workers, representatives and others on whether the draft Code is proportionate and helps parties make “best endeavours to resolve differences”. Acas will consider responses before finalising the...
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