ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, has updated its Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.

It coincides with a new statutory right -- introduced by the employment Relations Act 1999 -- for workers to be accompanied in disciplinary and grievance hearings by a colleague or trade union official.

Mr Paul Oliver, ACAS North West Regional Director, said: "ACAS's Code of Practice has been described in some quarters as the Highway Code of employment relations.

"It is the document Employment Tribunals use to guide them when deciding whether employees have been fairly treated at work.

"The new code will benefit both employers and workers and provides clear, practical advice on the new right and other aspects of handling disciplinary and grievance issues in the workplace."

ACAS undertook extensive consultation to ensure the needs of employers and employees were met.

Mr Oliver added: "The Government's employment relations legislation covers many areas.

"Issues such as union recognition have drawn much of the attention, but the new right to be accompanied poses a number of issues that employers need to understand and resolve if they are to avoid difficulties."

Copies of the Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures can be obtained at a cost of £2.95 (plus post and packing) from ACAS Reader Ltd, PO Box 16, Earl Shilton, Leicester LE9 8ZZ. Tel: 01455 852225.