ACAS Helpline

What is the ACAS?

The ACAS or the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is a non-departmental public body of the United Kingdom. The purpose of the ACAS is to improve the relationship between companies and the employees who work through them. The basic mechanism to achieve solidarity is to promote and streamline strong industrial relations. T

The ACAS attempts to mend or improve employee to employer relationships by through a number of mediums, most notably arbitration and mediation. That being said, the ACAS is also well known for resolving disputes between groups of workers or employees (typically represented by a trade union) and their respective employers. As a result of this role, it can be stated that the ACAS is simply a middle-man, who facilitates and mends the relationship between disgruntled employees and their respective organizations. As an independent and impartial organization, the ACAS never sides with a particular party in a dispute; the ACAS, instead aims to help the involved parties reach a suitable, out-of-court, resolution.

Structure of the ACAS:

Although the ACAS was originally created to resolve disputes between employers and employees within the industrial field, the organization is currently adept at handling matters in all sectors of employment. The ACAS is predominately funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. That being said, the organization maintains its non-departmental status and is governed by an independent Council responsible for determining the organization’s strategic direction, priorities and their general mission to ensure that statutory duties are carried out in an efficient manner.

THE ACAS consists of a Chair and trade union (as well as independent) members. These individuals are all appointed by the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills. The day to day operations of the organization are managed by the Chief Executive of the ACAS and a management board. The organization is headquartered in London and possesses 11 main regional centers throughout Wales, Scotland and England. The ACAS was first established in 1896 when the government created a voluntary arbitration service, which also lent free advice to employers and unions on industrial relations and personnel problems. The organization went through several name changes; the ACAS was not formally established until 1976, where it was made a statutory body by the Employment Protection Act of 1975.


ACAS Hotline:

The ACAS hotline is the most effective way to contact the ACAS regarding a pending arbitration or mediation case. The representatives--who take calls on the ACAS hotline--will point you in the appropriate direction given the specifics of your case. Furthermore, the ACAS hotline will update you and inform on all laws and statutes associated with employment contracts. The ACAS hotline can be reached at 08457 47 47 47.