All Acas events in the West Midlands region

When there is a problem at work, an investigation should be carried out as soon as possible. This can relate to grievances as well as potential disciplinary issues such as bullying, poor conduct, attendance or performance.

Carrying out a fair and impartial investigation will help managers to understand all the facts and help them reach an informed decision. It can also:

• promote good working relationships
• help organisations comply with the Acas code of practice on discipline and grievance
• build trust with all employees

This training will help you conduct investigations confidently, in line with good practice and legal requirements.

Starting a new role in HR or taking on HR responsibilities can be overwhelming. You may need to handle:

• equality law
• recruitment
• issuing contracts
• discipline and grievance
• absence
• dismissal

This training will help those new to HR to learn the basics of employment law and good practice at all stages of an employment relationship.

This training will help you:

• understand complex legal principles
• apply good practice
• take on this area of responsibility with confidence

One of the most challenging parts of managing people is having conversations around sensitive or emotionally charged topics.

Difficult conversations are often things managers find themselves avoiding or delaying. This can have an impact on an organisation and morale.

Successfully addressing sensitive issues can:

• prevent bullying at work
• deal with conflict between colleagues
• uncover underlying issues
• support workers with personal issues
• create clear boundaries within teams
• increase employee engagement

This training will give you new skills and techniques to confidently handle challenging conversations at work. 

Acas wrote the Code of Practice on discipline and grievance. Employers are required to follow the code of practice when dealing with disciplinary and grievance matters. Where dismissal is an outcome, and a claim is made, a Tribunal will consider how closely an employer follows the code. 

Managing discipline and grievance procedures in the right way can help employers to:

• explore and resolve underlying issues
• build positive working relationships
• improve engagement and productivity
• avoid conflict and legal action

During this training you’ll develop your knowledge of the Acas code. You’ll also learn how to apply good practice based on a real-life case study that runs throughout.

Managing people for the first time can be challenging but also rewarding. 

A good manager can help:

• improve teamwork and productivity
• reduce workplace conflict 
• increase wellbeing amongst staff
• build and maintain trust and confidence between an employer and employee

This training will help you build confidence and introduce the skills you need for your new role as a manager. 

It will also introduce you to legal and good practice principles you need to know.

When there is a problem at work, an investigation should be carried out as soon as possible. This can relate to grievances as well as potential disciplinary issues such as bullying, poor conduct, attendance or performance.

Carrying out a fair and impartial investigation will help managers to understand all the facts and help them reach an informed decision. It can also:

• promote good working relationships
• help organisations comply with the Acas code of practice on discipline and grievance
• build trust with all employees

This training will help you conduct investigations confidently, in line with good practice and legal requirements.

Conflict at work can be disruptive, time consuming and costly.

Mediation is a proven and effective way of resolving differences between employees and rebuilding working relationships.

Mediation can:

• allow each person to air their issues in a safe environment
• identify areas of common ground
• help create acceptable solutions for both sides

Organisations with people trained in mediation can benefit from:

• reduced levels of conflict
• better teamworking
• reduced grievances, absences and turnover

This training will help you gain the skills, techniques and confidence to become an effective mediator in your workplace. 

You will gain a recognised mediation accreditation upon successful completion of the course.

Acas is the recognised authority in dispute resolution. You will learn directly from our mediation experts, who have extensive personal experience in resolving conflict at work.

This training course is accredited by NCFE, a trusted and recognised awarding organisation. NCFE verifies and quality assures the assessments. An assessment in your learning will be included as part of the process.