Cristian Ley welcomes the biggest political U-turn since the poll tax
When the government introduced the statutory dispute resolution procedures in October 2004 the aim was to provide a means for problems to be raised and discussed in the workplace and in some cases remove the need to resort to employment tribunals. However, as we all know, even the best laid plans do not always work out as one intends and in 2006 the government asked Michael Gibbons—former chairman of DTI Employment law simplification panel—to review the operation of the procedures and make recommendations for their reform and/or repeal.
Gibbons found that the statutory dispute resolution procedures had significant unintended negative consequences which outweighed any benefits they carried in terms of resolving workplace disputes. This report concluded that the statutory dispute procedures should be repealed, which they were on 6 April 2009 by virtue of the Employment Act 2008.
What replaces the statutory grievance, disciplinary and dismissal procedures?
The revised Acas Code of Practice (the code) will govern grievances, disciplinary proceedings and dismissals in place of the statutory procedures. In relation to grievances,
