ACAS Consultation - Revised Draft Code of Practice for Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures

Acas has launched a consultation on a draft revised Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures, the first full update to the Code since 2009.

The draft Code proposes a number of significant changes, including placing greater emphasis on informal resolution, introducing new requirements for disciplinary and grievance correspondence, strengthening guidance on the use of suspension, and adding new sections covering reasonable adjustments, manager training, and mediation.

The proposed changes also replace references to "employees" with "workers" throughout the Code, broadening its scope, although the statutory power for Employment Tribunals to increase or reduce compensation by up to 25% for failure to follow the Code will continue to apply only in relation to employees.

The consultation closes on 23 September 2026, APSCo members may wish to review the proposals and consider responding where the changes may impact their disciplinary and grievance procedures.