To support their introduction, Acas has produced a statutory Code of Practice on settlement agreements [1Mb] which explains what settlement agreements are and provides guidance on the new law which concerns the confidentiality of settlement agreement negotiations.
In addition to the code Acas has also produced a non-statutory Settlement Agreements: A guide [523kb] which provides more detailed guidance on the use of Settlement Agreements.
Settlement agreements are legally binding contracts which can be used to end an employment relationship on agreed terms. They can also be used to resolve an ongoing workplace dispute, for example, a dispute over holiday pay. These agreements can be proposed by either an employer or an employee, although it will normally be the employer.
Once a valid settlement agreement has been signed, the employee will be unable to make an employment tribunal claim about any type of claim which is listed on the agreement.
Where the employer and employee are unable to reach an agreement, the settlement discussions cannot usually be referred to as evidence in any subsequent unfair dismissal claim. Where the settlement discussions are held to resolve an existing dispute between the parties they cannot be used as evidence in any type of claim.
For the settlement agreement to be legally binding the following conditions must be met.
Employees should be given a reasonable amount of time to consider the proposed conditions of the agreement; the Acas Code of Practice on settlement agreements specifies a minimum of 10 calendar days unless the parties agree otherwise.
Settlement agreements are voluntary and parties do not have to agree to them or enter into discussion about them. There can be a process of negotiation during which both sides make proposals and counter proposals until an agreement is reached or both parties decide no agreement can be reached.
If a settlement agreement is not reached and depending on the nature of the dispute or problem, resolution may be pursued through a performance management, disciplinary or grievance process, or mediation whichever is the most appropriate. It is important that employers follow a fair process and use the Acas Code of Practice on Discipline and Grievance procedures because, if the employee is dismissed, failure to do so may be grounds for a claim of unfair dismissal.
Although there is no statutory right for the employee to be accompanied at any meeting to discuss the agreement, an employee may want to involve someone to help them, such as a work colleague or a trade union representative. Employers should, as a matter of good practice, allow an employee to be accompanied when meetings are held as this can often help progress settlement discussions.
When the settlement agreement includes an agreement to end the employment relationship, then employment can end with the required notice, or the timing can be agreed as part of the settlement agreement.
Details of payment and the timing should be included in the agreement; any payments should be made as soon as practicable after the agreement has been reached.
Having the correct draft letters and forms can save you time, and help you manage information quickly and easily. The following templates are free to use and are here to help you draw up a settlement agreement and produce a settlement agreement offer letter.
The Acas Helpline (0300 123 1100) can provide general advice on settlement agreements and what they may mean for your organisations’ employment relations practices. The Helpline is unable to give advice on whether or not you should agree to a settlement agreement.
This Code is designed to help employers, employees and their representatives understand the law relating to the negotiation of settlement agreements as set out in section 111A of the Employment Rights Act (ERA) 1996.
The Acas guide to Settlement agreements Word download of a Model settlement agreement template letterWord download of a settlement agreement offer letter where no previous performance or disciplinary action has taken place
Word download of a settlement agreement offer letter where no previous performance or disciplinary action has taken place where previous performance or disciplinary action has taken place