The new revised Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures has been published yesterday.
It comes into effect on 6th April 2009, when the statutory dismissal and grievance procedures are abolished. An unreasonable failure by an employer to follow the Code will result in a tribunal having the power to increase any award by up to 25%. It can be downloaded from Acas's website. The current version has the word 'draft' stamped all over it as it is awaiting approval by parliament - but this should be a formality.
To view click here.
With respect to the mediation angle ,on the 2nd page there is a mention of mediation where you can use an internal mediator, so long as they are not involved in thedisciplinary or grievance issue or using an external mediator.
Indeed it is the word "mediator" whhich is memtioned.
This is progress but slow progress at that. What incentive is there to mediate? The Gibbons Review is an illusion.