On 30 July 2026, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (“Acas”) launched a consultation on a draft updated version of its Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures, which represents the first comprehensive revision of the code since 2009. Acas has framed the consultation as a response to wider shifts in the modern workplace, including changes in where and when work happens, how work fits into our lives, and how colleagues engage with one another.
In this article, Emily Allison and Jake Hayward examine the key proposals and consider how they may affect the way employers manage workplace concerns and resolve employment disputes.
In announcing the news of this significant consultation, Acas provided insight into the rationale behind the intended revision of the Code. Instead of merely updating the existing guidance, the draft Code and consultation reflect Acas’ view that workplace conflict is a significant and costly issue for employers, and that a modernised framework is needed to reflect changes in the way people work and interact.
In announcing the consultation, Acas Chair, Baroness Maggie Jones, emphasised that disagreements are a natural part of working life, but the way they are managed can determine whether they escalate or are resolved effectively:
“Acas research shows that formal processes can be very costly for everyone involved. Effective early intervention in conflict saves money and time as well as...
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