Instead of employers having to follow detailed mechanisms for dealing with disciplinary issues, grievances and dismissals, they will instead follow codes of practice issued by Acas.
It is hoped the new approach will create more flexibility to resolve problems early before they escalate. Employment tribunals will have the power to adjust awards if employers have failed unreasonably to comply with Acas codes.
Pat McFadden, minister for employment relations, said: "Tribunals can be costly, time-consuming and draining for people and businesses alike.
"We have changed the rules so employers and employees will have greater flexibility to deal with grievances and disciplinary issues at work at the earliest opportunity."
And John Taylor, Acas chief executive, added: "These changes will give businesses more flexibility when dealing with workplace problems. Often a quiet word in the early stage of a problem is all that is required to nip things in the bud.
"This should help improve relationships between managers and employees, cutting down disputes while saving time, money and stress for all concerned."
New Acas code of practice should make it easier to deal with disciplinary and grievance issues
From today, amendments to the Employment Act 2008 mean a simplified system for dealing with disciplinary and grievance issues.
