More than two-thirds (68%) of employers and trade unions questioned said that, without Acas help, the dispute would have taken longer to resolve, saving parties around five months. They also reported longer-term workplace benefits from using Acas:
Around two-thirds said that their organisation was more effective at dealing with disputes (63%);
Six out of ten had better communication between management and workers (60%); and
Over half said that they had improved employment relations (55%).
The survey also revealed that it was the skills of the conciliator acting as the impartial third party, which was one of the key influences over the likelihood of reaching an agreement to settle the dispute.
And around a third of those that were asked said that it might have been beneficial to involve Acas at an earlier stage.
Peter Harwood, Acas Chief Conciliator said: "These findings show how our experienced network of conciliators play a vital role in resolving industrial disputes quickly and how we have helped employers to implement more productive working practices.
"There is often a misconception that Acas can only be called in when a dispute arises but we can be asked to be informally involved on a confidential basis at any stage of negotiations even when internal procedures have not been exhausted.
"I would encourage employers and unions to come to us for help as early as possible rather than see us as just a last-chance saloon."
