Acas commissioned YouGov to ask British businesses about the worst examples of behaviour that resulted in disciplinary action against a member of staff. Employers reported the five most commonly witnessed behaviours were:

• not turning up to work (34%)
• theft or stealing from work (30%)
• bullying at work (30%)
• being rude to colleagues or customers (30%)
• taking sick leave when not genuinely ill (27%)

Acas has launched a consultation on updates to its Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures. This will help employers and workers handle concerns in a fair, transparent and timely way.

Acas chair, baroness Maggie Jones, said: “Our poll reveals the worst types of behaviours reported by bosses that lead to disciplinary action at work. It’s important for these issues to be dealt with as early as possible.

“Some other types of behaviours that may lead to disciplinary action may not be as clear cut. Employers and workers have rights and responsibilities at work and handling concerns that come up early can save on costs and stress for everyone concerned.

“Acas’s new Code reflects the benefits of informal and early resolution of conflict and seeks views on how to improve the handling of formal procedures. I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation.”

Acas’s statutory Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures was last fully revised in 2009. It currently applies where there is potential for disciplinary action to be taken against a worker or where a worker raises a formal concern or grievance with their employer.

The purpose of the Code is to provide employers, workers and representatives with guidance on handling disciplinary and grievance situations in the workplace.

The consultation on the draft Code closes on 23 September 2026.

Read and respond to our consultation on the draft Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures