The Advisory Function of ACAS—A Preliminary Appraisal of In‐depth Work

Abstract

In carrying out its statutory advisory duties, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) makes a broad operational distinction between the “advisory visits” and “in‐depth” work undertaken by advisers. Typically, an advisory visit may entail a day's work and consist of helping a small company to improve its procedures or particulars of employment. By contrast, the average number of man‐days required for a piece of in‐depth work (which might consist of helping with the reform of a payment system) total approximately twelve.