Early Conciliation (EC) is a process designed to help employers and employees resolve disputes quickly and effectively. It is a free service that is offered by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas). The early conciliation support for employers is very helpful in resolving employment dispute. The process is voluntary. But it can be beneficial for both parties. It can help to resolve the dispute without the need for further legal action. In this article, we will explore how Early Conciliation works, the benefits of using EC. We will also see how it can help to resolve employment disputes quickly and effectively.
What is Early Conciliation?
Early Conciliation is a process where an employee can raise a grievance with their employer. Then the employer has to inform Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) of the dispute.
The Acas conciliator will help both parties resolve the dispute through mediation. If the parties cannot engage in early conciliation regarding the complaint, the authority may refer it on for arbitration by an employment tribunal or court.
How Does it Work?
Early conciliation is a process that allows employees to settle a dispute before an employment tribunal claim is issued. There are a lots of HR services for small business owners in the UK that help with early conciliation.
It’s free, confidential and quick. It can be used in any type of employment dispute (e.g., unfair dismissal or discrimination). It has been introduced by the Ministry of Justice as an alternative to litigation for resolving disputes out-of-court.
The aim of early conciliation is to help parties reach an agreement without needing to go through an employment tribunal hearing. That can be time consuming and costly both emotionally and financially – not only for those who are involved but also businesses who will have lost their employee’s services during this period.
Is it Voluntary?
Yes, Early Conciliation is voluntary.
Employees can choose to use the service or not. The employer cannot force the employee to use it and. They can not force them to accept any settlement offer made by them during the conciliation process. An employee must also be given copies of any documents exchanged with their employer under Early Conciliation.
It is important that you remember that if you are an employee, receiving a letter from ACAS asking you to participate in Early Conciliation does not mean automatic dismissal. You are not yet suspended from your job – unless this has been stated in writing.
What Does it Cost?
The cost of early conciliation for your business will depend on the size of your business and the number of employees who are eligible for early conciliation. It also depends on whether you have one claim or multiple claims pending with ACAS, and how long you are eligible for.
For example, if you have 10 employees in your company, and only 3 work at a location where ACAS is available, then using ACAS might be cheaper than using legal aid or going to court.
What if the Conciliation is not Successful?
If the conciliation is unsuccessful, you can still bring a claim to an Employment Tribunal. If this happens, it is important to remember that there will be no cost to you if your claim is successful.
The dispute will be dealt with by an Employment Tribunal. They will decide whether or not your claim is valid. They may also award compensation on top of your original request for redress.
If you are being victimized, it is important to understand that you have the right to take action against the perpetrator. You can claim redress from your employer if they fail to act on their responsibilities. This could mean compensation for any losses you have suffered as a result of their inaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Early Conciliation is an effective and straightforward way. It helps to resolve any employment disputes quickly. One can avoid the stress of costly, lengthy court proceedings. It is a cost-effective solution that puts you in control of the dispute resolution process. It allows you to maintain good relationships with your employers or employees. An experienced mediator can help both parties find a solution that works for them. You may want to partner with a Global PEO to help you organize your HR team.
