Acas has published its 2019 to 2020 annual report. There were 1,172,091 contacts through Acas’s helpline and advisory services such as the telephone helpline (which received 800,000 calls), Helpline Online, web chat and Facebook messages. During the height of the coronavirus crisis, the helpline was receiving 3 times as many calls as normal. Acas’s websites were accessed 15 million times, which included a record 3.6 million visits to its coronavirus advice up to the end of March. Acas received nearly 140,000 early conciliation notifications (approximately 2,700 notifications a week), an increase of 5% on the previous year. 77% of the notifications did not lead to an employment tribunal claim, because a formal or informal agreement was made, or the claimant decided not to proceed. Acas conciliated in 566 national and regional disputes with pay being the top cause of disagreements.
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
