Kate Nowicki , Director of Dispute Resolution
Kate Nowicki, Director of Dispute Resolution, oversees Acas’s work across the country to resolve workplace disputes.
This week the government plans to introduce
A “once in a generation overhaul” of employment rights. Whatever your views on the new Bill and its contents, it will trigger a wider conversation and focus on what we know about the workplace – and, in particular, how we build healthy successful workplaces belize phone number library that contribute to the growth of our economy.
In Acas we have been speaking with our key stakeholders and partners about our role and focus for the next 5 years, and some themes are emerging:
The legislative changes could offer a new framework and opportunity to reset the dial on building a constructive social partnership between employers, employees and trade unions.
This reset could lead to greater levels of trust and respect, a healthier relationship and improved communications. And in turn allow parties to focus on shared outcomes to address head-on the causes of conflict before it evolves into formal dispute.
There are clearly challenges to address
Recent Acas-commissioned research from the alb directory Industrial Relations Research Unit (IRRU) at Warwick Business School shows that many HR professionals, trade unionists and business owners have lost the art of negotiation. Too often, disputes come to Acas at a late stage, where positions we also made phone number collection are entrenched and parties polarised.
The good news is that Acas still facilitates resolution in the vast majority of cases. Other research shows that where disputes do come to Acas, there are high levels of satisfaction from all parties, praising Acas negotiators’ impartiality and ability to resolve intense conflict and disruption. But it’s tougher going than it could be or should be, and whilst a skilled conciliator is key to success, reaching an agreement also depends on both parties being willing to make concessions.