Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, gives free and impartial advice on employment rights in England, Scotland and Wales. The Acas helpline is 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You must notify Acas for early conciliation before you make most employment tribunal claims.
Key facts
- Helpline
- 0300 123 1100
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
- Cost of advice
- Free. Call charges depend on your phone provider.
- Covers
- England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland uses the Labour Relations Agency.
- Welsh language
- Services available in Welsh on request
- Before a tribunal claim
- Notify Acas for early conciliation. Taking part is voluntary for both sides.
- Tribunal time limit
- Six months less one day for most problems on or after 1 October 2026, three months less one day for earlier problems. Early conciliation pauses the clock.
- Status
- Public body sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade
What Acas offers
Acas publishes online advice on employment rights, workplace rules and good practice. Topics include contracts, pay, sick leave, flexible working, grievances, disciplinary procedures, dismissal and redundancy. For employers, Acas runs training, mediation and collective conciliation.
The helpline suits questions the online advice does not answer. An adviser explains your rights and the options open to you. Acas stays impartial, so the adviser will not take your side against your employer or act as your solicitor.
Questions healthcare staff often bring to Acas
- A new contract arrives with longer hours or a new rota pattern. See changes to your contract.
- A pharmacy chain asks you to sign a non-compete clause or other restrictive covenants.
- A locum or bank worker wants to know which rights apply. Read employment status first.
- A manager calls you to an investigation meeting at short notice. See workplace investigations.
- You are asked to repay training costs after leaving. See training repayment clauses.
How early conciliation works
Early conciliation is a legal process. If you want to make a claim to an employment tribunal, you must notify Acas first, in most cases. A conciliator then contacts you and, with your agreement, your employer. The conciliator tries to help both sides reach a legal agreement without a hearing.
Both sides choose whether to take part. If no agreement is reached, Acas issues a certificate, and you need the certificate number to make your claim. Acas warns on its contact page of a wait of around 9 weeks before a conciliator is assigned. Acas emails you once a conciliator takes your case.
Time limits you must not miss
For most tribunal claims about a problem on or after 1 October 2026, the time limit is six months less one day, counted from the date your job ended or the problem happened. Problems before 1 October 2026 keep the old limit of three months less one day. In Scotland, breach of contract claims move to six months only for breaches on or after 9 November 2026. The clock pauses while Acas handles early conciliation. Raising a problem informally with your employer does not stop the clock.
Interim relief claims after a dismissal for whistleblowing or union activity have a 7-day limit. Check your own deadline with Acas or an adviser as soon as possible, especially if the problem started before October 2026. Our guide to tribunal deadlines explains the basics.
Before you call the helpline
- Have your contract, offer letter and any handbook or policy to hand.
- Write a short timeline with dates: what happened, who said what, and when.
- Note your job title, employer, length of service and employment status.
- List two or three questions you want answered.
- Keep notes during the call, including the date and the adviser's name.
Our guide to preparing for legal advice has a fuller checklist.
When you need more than Acas
Acas explains rights and processes. For advice on your case, or someone to act for you, contact a union, a professional body or a solicitor. Pharmacists can turn to the Pharmacists' Defence Association, nurses to RCN member support, and doctors to the BMA. Citizens Advice gives free local advice. For whistleblowing, Protect runs a free advice line.
In Northern Ireland, Acas does not cover your job. Contact the Labour Relations Agency instead. Our Northern Ireland page has the numbers.
Common questions
What is the Acas helpline number?
The Acas helpline is 0300 123 1100. Lines open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Is Acas advice free?
Yes. Acas advice is free and impartial. Your phone provider may charge for the call.
Do I have to contact Acas before going to an employment tribunal?
For most claims, yes. You must notify Acas for early conciliation and get a certificate before you make a claim. Some claims, such as interim relief, do not need early conciliation.
Does Acas cover Northern Ireland?
No. Acas covers England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, the Labour Relations Agency runs the Workplace Information Service and early conciliation.
Can Acas represent me at a tribunal?
No. Acas stays impartial and does not act for either side. Ask a union, a solicitor or Citizens Advice about representation.