From April 2009, the government will repeal the statutory disciplinary, dismissal, and grievance procedures, under the new Employment Act. At the same time, a new statutory Acas Code of Practice will come into force and tribunals will have the power to increase compensation in successful claims by up to 25% for businesses which don’t follow the Code’s recommendations.

So ignoring the new system could prove expensive. Importantly though, under the new legal framework you will be able to choose how to resolve workplace disagreements so that they do not escalate into litigation.

The new legislation provides a major opportunity for controlling your employment costs and adapting to a better way of handling workplace problems. But only if you seize this opportunity.

Keynote speakers include Michael Gibbons, author of the report to government which led to the Employment Act, and Ed Sweeney, the chair of Acas.

EEF and Acas have designed a seminar which will prepare you for the coming changes, and ensure you are ready to take advantage right now, rather than next year. We have Michael Gibbons , author of the report to government which led to the Employment Act, and Ed Sweeney , the chair of Acas, amongst keynote speakers.

The 1-day seminar and workshop includes:

• the new Code of Practice and new help from Acas
• how to resolve more disputes in the workplace earlier and less formally without breaching the new Code
• the alternatives to employment tribunal litigation, including the business case for mediation
• taking a strategic approach to developing your organisation’s capacity to resolve conflict
• developing an action plan specific to your business