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Common issues
Informal Complaint First
The ACAS recommendation to try resolving issues informally.
Last updated 21 February 2026
Overview
The ACAS Code suggests that employees and employers should try to resolve grievances informally where appropriate.
However, if the issue is serious (e.g., harassment or whistleblowing), skipping straight to a formal grievance is acceptable.
What you can do
- Have a quiet word with your manager or HR.
- Follow up the conversation with a polite email confirming what was discussed to create a paper trail.
Next steps
Keep your facts organised and protect your time limits with the tools below.
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