WITH major legislative changes looming and a focus on resolving workplace problems before they reach tribunal mean the conciliation service Acas will have a vital role to play in Hert- fordshire.

Acas chair Ms Rita Donaghy said the spotlight was now back on employment relations issues.

Speaking at the launch of the Acas annual report she said: "This has been a year when employment relations have come back into the spotlight.

"The challenge will be to help organisations take the changes on board smoothly and make the most of opportunities for improving their employment relations."

She said the company could assist in a time of economic and industrial uncertainty: "We offer a wide range of services from advice on employment rights and how best to put legislation into practice through to help with workplace problems and disputes.

"We work with hundreds of organisations every day, using our first-hand knowledge of what can go wrong to help people get it right. We firmly believe that good employment relations have a direct effect on productivity and competitiveness."

Ms Donaghy predicted a possible increase in demand for their services and said: "No doubt the new legislation will have an impact on individual rights cases.

"On the collective dispute side we are seeing an increase in media profile rather than demand for conciliation."

Mr Richard O'Shea, senior advisor for Hertfordshire said: "Employers value our practical and straightforward approach. Our advice and practical guidance covers the spectrum of employment related issues.

"This ranges from recruitment through contracts of employment, rules and procedures on attendance and discipline, and training and management development."

Acas is a partner in several major EC-funded projects such as those building an industrial relations framework in Slovakia, Latvia and Slovenia.

For further information on Acas assistance in Hertfordshire, telephone 01767 692929.