What will I learn?

The consultation has a clear commercial driver. Formal disciplinary procedures currently cost UK employers £2.36 billion a year, whereas the annual cost of informal resolution is around 10 times lower at £250 million. ACAS wants to bring these costs down by pushing early, informal resolution before formal process starts. Employers who skip that step risk compromising a fair dismissal finding and facing higher awards – and with 6 million more employees getting access to unfair dismissal from 1 January 2027, failing to act is not an option.

With the consultation on these changes coming to a close on September 23rd, the timing matters. Getting ahead of these changes now, rather than reacting once they’re finalised, puts you in a stronger position.

What will I learn?

• The key proposed changes, and why ACAS is making them now

• The new expectation for early, informal conversations on misconduct, performance and grievances

• What’s expected of employees raising a grievance, including being clear and succinct

• How the proposals address the use of AI in disciplinary and grievance processes

• Practical steps to prepare your HR processes ahead of the code being finalised