1. 21 October 2015 West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds Employment Law Update Conference

2. Productivity and the workplace Early conciliation one year on New guidance Caroline Plummer Area Director Acas East of England 21 October 2015

3. The productivity problem In 2007 the UK’s relative productivity performance was 9% behind the G7 average Now 19% behind

4. Productivity and the Workplace 17% lower productivity than the rest of the G7 (30% lower that France, Germany and the USA) France could clock off Thursday evening in comparison!? Failure to recover post recession, more in work, static productivity Strong employment growth, weak wage growth

5. Productivity and the Workplace Solutions discussed include:- Access to financial investment Development of new technologies and skills Improvements to infrastructure What goes on inside the workplace is important in ensuring such solutions can have maximum impact. “any attempt to re-balance or develop the economy without taking into account the workplace will almost certainly end in failure” Sisson 2014

6. The 7 levers of Productivity http://www.acas.org.uk/productivity

7. Well Designed Work Jobs and work organised in ways that increase efficiency and make the most of people's skills.

8. Skilled Managers Managers with the confidence and training to manage and lead effectively.

9. Managing Conflict effectively Systems in place to reduce the likelihood of problems arising and to deal with problems at every stage.

10. Clarity about rights and responsibilities A working environment where everyone understands their rights and responsibilities.

11. Fairness Employees who feel valued and treated fairly.

12. Strong Employee Voice Informed employees who can contribute and are listened to.

13. High Trust Relationships based on trust, with employers sharing information at the earliest opportunity.

14. Future pressures / developments? Age and demographics Immigration Flexibility Skills Recruitment / Retention Talent Health Engagement

15. Feedback How do we involve yourselves? Scope for collaboration? Training / Education / Skills development? Any “stand out” sectors / industries or individual businesses good for case studies? Any sectors /industries in need of assistance?

16. Acas Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance Appeal tribunal decision says employees have a right to choose their companion. Consultation on changes to the code. Revised code now in force.

17. Early Conciliation From April 2014 anyone thinking about making an Employment Tribunal claim will need to contact Acas first to access the new Early Conciliation Service. Early Conciliation will try and resolve the dispute quickly and cost effectively. If Early Conciliation doesn’t resolve the issue, claims can still be submitted to the Employment Tribunal. Find out more at www.acas.org.uk/earlyconciliation

18. Early Conciliation – one year on EC April 2014 – March 2015 Notifications Received – Over 83,000 Outcome of Cases received April 14 – December 14 Acas COT Settlement 15% Did not progress to Tribunal Claim 63% Dispute progressed to tribunal 22% Of the 22% in which a claim was issued 51% subsequently settled by way of an Acas COT3

19. Digital By default – Guidance on the web Online guidance is Acas’s biggest customer channel. This year we anticipate: 1.2 Million.pdf downloads 6.2 Million A-Z page views 325k step by step guides 560k template downloads 25k online tool sessions Work in the future Greater interactivity New tools New formats for guidance

20. New Guides Sexual Orientation Discrimination This guide offers insight into how sexual orientation discrimination can occur in the workplace, how it can be dealt with and how to reduce the chance of future discrimination Recruitment & Induction Acas have launched two new practical guides to help employers and managers recruit and settle in staff.

21. New investigation guidance coming Organisational preparation Investigatory meeting Reports Investigator’s preparation Evidence gathering After an investigation

22. Connect and Contact Contact 01284 774510 07785 936938 cplummer@acas.org.uk Connect on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter