Whilst there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence pointing to business and wider economic benefits of effective workforce development and human resource management practices, there has been a lack of robust evidence to inform the work of ACAS and the TUC.
This high-profile study, sponsored by the Trades Union Congress and the Advisory and Conciliation Arbitration Service (ACAS), undertook extensive primary research with businesses. The survey covered around 2,000 small and medium-sized businesses in the North West region, in addition to detailed case studies. This helped to build up a detailed understanding of workforce development and employment relations practices, and critically the impact on business performance.
Our recommendations set out the levers available to a range of partners to change employers' behaviour and the way they use skills and employment practices as part of their business strategies. ACAS and the TUC have used the case studies produced as part of the study to promote these benefits to firms.
Detailed primary research identifying the relationship between training and employment practices and business performance.
ACAS
TUC