2. Acas North West Peter Rabbitts Greater Manchester North Senior Adviser 01254 689236

3. The role of Acas prevent or resolve disputes between employers and their workforces settle complaints about employees' rights provide information, advice and training encourage people to work together more effectively

4. Collective conciliation We help parties in dispute to reach or make progress towards agreed settlements which they all find acceptable

5. Projects in individual workplaces Our advisers work with organisations to make their workplace more effective through better employment relations

6. Individual conciliation settle complaints about employees’ rights nearly all complaints to employment tribunals come to Acas

7. Advisory We provide impartial information and advice

8. Training Key points on employing people designed for small businesses In depth sessions on employment issues for HR specialists Training specially designed for individual workplaces 1,828 training sessions were held in 2002/03

9. Employment Act changes new code fixed period conciliation

10. ACAS Code of Practice takes account of new legislation effective from 1.10.04 blend in new with existing guidance plain language deals with discipline and grievance

11. Fixed period conciliation limits on conciliation period acas duty becomes power the reasonably practical test will of parliament policy on web site

12. The role of Acas More information Acas Help line 0845 747 4747 www.acas.org.uk www.dti.gov.uk www.tiger.gov.uk