Handling it fairly
Acas Code: discipline, grievances and bullying.
- Level
- Bitesize
- Learning time
- 1 hour 15 minutes
- Where
- People Management and Employment Law
- Price
- £39
When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Read the full terms
Certificate of Completion
Overview and Outcomes.
Overview
Disciplinary matters are among the most stressful experiences at work and a common route to tribunal, yet the principles of a fair process are well established. This module covers the 2015 Acas Code and the 2026 draft, five steps to fair discipline, the Burchell test with Iceland Frozen Foods v Jones and Sainsbury's v Hitt, sanctions and mitigation, suspension, the 2026 NHS Wales disciplinary policy, and proportionality in Higgs v Farmor's School. Most grievances begin as quiet concerns, and how they are handled often matters as much as the outcome. This module covers grievance handling under the Acas Code and the 2026 draft, the routes from a quiet word to tribunal, resolving issues at the lowest safe level, what the law says about bullying and harassment, and when mediation fits, with lessons from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Healthcare and Respect and Resolution in NHS Wales.
What you'll develop
In this Bitesize, you will develop the ability to:
- Plan a fair disciplinary process in line with the Acas Code, from investigation and the right to be accompanied through to decision and appeal.
- Apply the Burchell test and the band of reasonable responses to judge whether a conduct decision and its investigation would stand up.
- Assess whether a sanction or a suspension is proportionate, drawing on consistency, mitigation, the NHS Wales approach and Higgs v Farmor's School.
- Plan the handling of a grievance in line with the Acas Code, from early listening to a reasoned decision and appeal.
- Assess which route, from a quiet word to formal procedure, is the least escalated option that remains safe, including when mediation does and does not fit.
The Modules.
1 hour 15 minutes of learning.
- 10Conduct and Discipline: The Acas Code in PracticeDisciplinary matters are among the most stressful experiences at work and a common route to tribunal, yet the principles of a fair process are well established. This module covers the 2015 Acas Code and the 2026 draft, five steps to fair discipline, the Burchell test with Iceland Frozen Foods v Jones and Sainsbury's v Hitt, sanctions and mitigation, suspension, the 2026 NHS Wales disciplinary policy, and proportionality in Higgs v Farmor's School.40 min
- 11Grievances, Bullying and Workplace ConflictMost grievances begin as quiet concerns, and how they are handled often matters as much as the outcome. This module covers grievance handling under the Acas Code and the 2026 draft, the routes from a quiet word to tribunal, resolving issues at the lowest safe level, what the law says about bullying and harassment, and when mediation fits, with lessons from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Healthcare and Respect and Resolution in NHS Wales.40 min
Keep going.
Part of the People Management and Employment Law topic, also sold whole as Fair, firm and lawful.
Go deeper, and pay only the difference
- You are hereBitesize, 1 hour 15 minutes, £39
- Next stepFocus, Fair, consistent, humane, 4 hours, £69. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £30.
- Explore, When it gets difficult, 5 hours, £129. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £90.
- The whole topicImmerse, Fair, firm and lawful, 11 hours, £249. Already own the Bitesize? You pay £210.
When you step up to a higher level, what you paid in the last 12 months for lower-level courses inside the bigger course comes off its price, in proportion to how much of each is inside it, whichever topic it's from. Courses at the same or a lower level don't give credit against each other. A Focus course or above always costs at least £15. Prices per person. Read the full terms
Also part of: Stepping up, Fair, firm and lawful
Other Bitesize in the People Management and Employment Law topic
- The law and the managerEmployment Rights Act 2025 and contracts2 hours£39
- Starting on the right footRecruitment law, pay, hours and holidays1 hour 15 minutes£39
- Fair treatment, flexible livesFlexible working, family leave, discrimination1 hour 15 minutes£39
- When health and performance dipSickness absence, capability and performance1 hour 15 minutes£39
- When someone speaks upWhistleblowing and fair dismissal1 hour 15 minutes£39
- Change with fairnessRedundancy, TUPE and working with trade unions1 hour 15 minutes£39
