Effective conflict and dispute management is essential for the correct functioning of any workplace. In most businesses, addressing workplace disputes is the responsibility of the Human Resources department or a designated in-house team. The most common types of formal workplace disputes include:
- Grievances - These are complaints or concerns that are raised by employee's once informal dispute resolution methods have proven unsatisfactory.
- Disciplinary Action – Taken by employers when an employee's work-related behaviour fails to meet specific standards.
Workplace disputes can be resolved either internally or with the help of external parties. Nationwide statistics have shown that more than 80 per cent of all workplace disputes are settled internally, the norm if the adequate procedures are followed.
Overview on solving workplace disputes
ACAS Guide of grievances and disciplinary action
ACAS Code of Practice on solving workplace disputes
CIPD Resources on workplace dispute resolution
Grievances
Before raising a formal grievance, employees who have concerns or complaints should informally raise the issue with their line manager. This can be done verbally.
If the above fails, employees are entitled to start a formal grievance procedure. The details on how such procedure is to be conducted vary from company to company and are often outlined in company or employee handbooks. It is also possible to find information on the grievance procedure from HR staff or, in some cases, within employment contracts.
Irrespective of the company's specific procedure, all grievances must be put into writing. A meeting between the employee and the employer will follow in an attempt to resolve the issue. After the meeting, employers must write to the employee informing them of their decision, action to be taken, and how to appeal the decision.
Guide to handling employee grievances
Raising a grievance at work
ACAS guide to grievances at work
Disciplinary
Prior to taking formal disciplinary action against an employee, employers are advised to address the issue informally, although they can initiate the disciplinary procedure straight away if there are grounds to do so. Disciplinary action is justified whenever an employee fails to comply with written standards at work, whether they are related to performance, professional conduct, or relationships with managers and / or colleagues.
Disciplinary procedures usually consist of 3 stages:
- A written statement informing the employee of the issue at hand
- A meeting (disciplinary hearing) between the parties involved
- A written statement informing the employee of the disciplinary decision
There are a few things that must be clearly stated during the disciplinary process in order to comply with fair workplace dispute resolution guidelines and avoid later legal claims about unfair dismissal. These include:
- The nature of the allegations
- The outcome and consequences of the disciplinary procedure
- Any evidence that the employer has in support of the allegations. This is to be provided before or during a disciplinary hearing.
- The recognition of the fact that the employee has the right of appeal
In addition, employees should be allowed to bring a companion to the disciplinary hearing.
ACAS Q&A on disciplinary action
Disciplinary procedures (information for employees)
Information on disciplinary appeals and appeals hearings
Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration in the Workplace
External or third-party workplace dispute resolution methods are an option when issues or complaints cannot be resolved between employees and employers alone. Assistance is available in three main ways:
- Mediation, in which an independent third-party acts as an intermediary between employee and employer in order to find a solution that is satisfactory to both parties. Mediators can be employment consultants, solicitors, or ACAS members. Decisions made by mediators are not binding.
- Conciliation is typically used in cases that could be or have been taken up by an employment tribunal. Before a dispute reaches an employment tribunal, the parties involved must notify ACAS, who can provide assistance through a process known as Early Conciliation. Decisions concerning complaints settled via the ACAS conciliation process are legally binding.
- Arbitration involves bringing an impartial third party (the Arbitrator) into a workplace dispute. The process can provide a solution to both individual and collective disputes and the final decision is legally binding.
ACAS guide to Mediation
How to choose a Mediator
Mediator search
ACAS Early Conciliation
ACAS guide to Arbitration
ACAS Code of Practice for Disciplinary and Grievances Procedures
The ACAS Code of Practice outlines how grievances and disciplinary action should be conducted. The latest revision made to this document dates from 2015 ACAS Code of Practice
Employment Tribunals
Employment tribunals are a workplace dispute resolution option that can be used if the parties involved in a dispute cannot reach an agreement. Typical cases brought before employment tribunals involve matters like workplace discrimination, unfair dismissals, and other forms of unlawful actions or practices. In most cases, claims must be made within 3 months of the date in which the problem in question arose. Additionally, ACAS must be notified of all claims sent to an employment tribunal.
A fee applies to all cases brought to a tribunal and is usually split into a claim fee and a hearing fee. Fees must be paid in advance. Some claims can be filed online.
Making a claim to an employment tribunal
ACAS guide to employment tribunals
Download claim form
Starting a claim online