Your dedicated Resolution Framework™ download page

The Resolution Framework™ is updated annually – in June each year. This allows us to take account of any legal or statutory changes and also any best practice amendments or revisions arising from its use. The two main boxes on this page will show the latest version of the Framework. Previous versions will be indexed towards the end of this page for ease of reference. We will contact you via email to notify you of any changes and updates.

Continuous improvement and user feedback

We  welcome feedback so please share your experience with us to enable us to develop the Resolution Framework and continue to enhance its effectiveness.

Yes, The Resolution Framework™ is fully legally compliant. In fact, it not only meets the minimum statutory requirements under UK employment law, it exceeds them.

The framework adheres to, and surpasses, the ACAS Code on Discipline and Grievance, which is the benchmark for fairness and legal compliance in UK employment relations.

“The process is fully legally compliant, it meets and exceeds the requirements of the Acas Code on Discipline and Grievance, and it meets and exceeds all equality legislation currently in place in the UK.”

Unlike many traditional policies that are overly focused on risk aversion and retribution, the Resolution Framework is underpinned by:

• Procedural fairness: Ensuring transparency, consistency, and the right to be heard.
• Restorative justice principles: Supporting reflection, learning, and reparation.
• Right of appeal: Protected at key stages, including 2nd and 3rd level reminders and formal outcomes.

This provides stronger safeguards for due process than conventional grievance or disciplinary policies.

The framework retains the legal rights of employees, including:

• The right to be accompanied at formal stages
• The right to appeal decisions
• Compliance with equality and anti-discrimination law
• Legal safeguards during suspensions and investigations

“Managers must always seek the support of the Resolution Centre before a final reminder can be issued,” ensuring legal and procedural oversight

In Managing Conflict, David Liddle notes that:

“There is a myth that organisations have a statutory duty to have a grievance or disciplinary policy. There is no such legal obligation—only a requirement to adhere to the Acas Code.”

This gives organisations the legal flexibility to replace traditional procedures with a Resolution Framework™ that is better suited to modern workplace needs – as long as it’s fair, transparent, and consistent, which TCM’s model ensures.

The Resolution Framework by TCM delivers numerous benefits to organisations and their people. Here are just five of the main ones

1. Early and Constructive Resolution of Workplace Issues

The framework promotes dialogue over dispute. It emphasises resolving concerns, conduct, complaints, and conflicts as close to the source as possible, through informal routes such as:

• Local Resolution
• Early Resolution Meetings
• Facilitated Conversations
• Mediation
• Coaching

“Most issues can be resolved through dialogue, and we encourage all parties to engage with the informal resolution methods first…”

2. Legally Robust Yet Compassionate Alternative to Traditional HR Procedures

The Resolution Framework meets and exceeds the ACAS Code of Practice and is fully compliant with UK employment law and equality legislation. It replaces outdated, adversarial models (e.g., grievance and disciplinary procedures) with a system that is humane, fair, and psychologically safe.

“It provides a robust and legally compliant alternative… and reduces the risk of costly employment tribunals and litigation.”

3. Builds Trust, Fairness, and Psychological Safety

By providing an objective decision making process and embedding restorative principles, using reminders instead of warnings, and ensuring clarity of process through tools like the Resolution Index®, the framework fosters high levels of trust and fairness across the organisation.

“The likelihood of bias, prejudice or heuristics impacting the decision-making process is significantly reduced.”

4. Reduces Time, Cost, and Stress

The cost of conflict in the UK is £28.5 billion annually (ACAS). The framework significantly reduces this by offering a more streamlined, supportive and sustainable approach.

“It reduces the time, stress and financial resources commonly associated with traditional grievance and disciplinary procedures.”

5. Drives Culture Change and Aligns with Organisational Values

More than a process, it’s a cultural blueprint. It integrates seamlessly with values-based leadership, diversity and inclusion, team wellbeing, and performance development.

“It underpins a world leading employee experience by making it easier and less stressful to resolve workplace issues.”

Yes, The Resolution Framework™ is indeed available for free, and not just in name but in its full, practical application – with a few clear and reasonable conditions.

Open Source with a Purpose

The 2025 edition of The Resolution Framework™ is made available on an open-source basis to any organisation that wishes to use it. According to the published framework:

“This edition of The Resolution Framework™ was published in June 2025 and is made available on an opensource basis for any organisation subject to the below license conditions.”

Licensing Conditions

You are free to adapt and build upon the material for non-commercial purposes, provided that you:

• Give appropriate attribution to David Liddle and The TCM Group.
• Include the following statement in your adapted framework:

“Our Resolution Framework is based on The Resolution Framework™ developed by David Liddle, of The TCM Group. Please visit www.ResolutionFramework.com or email [email protected]”

This ensures the integrity of the work is respected while allowing maximum flexibility for organisations to localise and embed the framework meaningfully.

Designed by David Liddle, the AI version of The Resolution Hub™ is your always-on, interactive, and expert guide to embedding The Resolution Framework™, as well as the broader principles of transformational culture, into your organisation. It acts like a digital extension of TCM’s award-winning methodology, providing responsive, grounded, and context-sensitive support whenever you need it.

What It Does

This AI-powered Resolution Hub™ is designed to:

• Interpret and explain The Resolution Framework™, including diagnostics, triage, informal/formal routes, governance, and evaluation.
• Guide leaders and HR professionals through tools such as the GROW Coaching Model and the FAIR Model for resolution conversations.
• Support implementation of transformational practices aligned with the principles from Managing Conflict, Transformational Culture, and the 2025 edition of the Framework.
• Critique existing grievance, discipline, or performance policies through the Resolution Review feature, identifying retributive or adversarial risks.
• Build a tailored business case for transformation, using cost of conflict data, legal benchmarks, and strategic alignment tools.

How It Works in Practice

Imagine you’re a manager preparing for a difficult conversation, a policy owner reviewing outdated grievance procedures, or an HRBP designing a Resolution Centre. You can engage this AI version of The Resolution Hub™ to:

• Request tailored scripts, process maps, or reflection questions.
• Upload your current policy for critique and transformation advice.
• Build a persuasive internal presentation or board paper.
• Get best practice coaching on restorative conversations.
• Ask sector-specific questions – NHS, local government, corporate, charity – and receive informed, values-aligned guidance.

Unlike static resources, this AI learns from your queries and adapts to your role—HR, union, leader, or facilitator—offering relevant, real-time answers, always rooted in TCM’s philosophy.

Integrated Features

This digital Resolution Hub also includes:

• CIPD Alignment: Up-to-date integration with CIPD’s conflict management research for benchmarking and insight.
• Legal Clarity: Guidance on ACAS compliance, legal risk, and fairness under UK employment law.
• Cultural Strategy: Help connecting conflict resolution to values, EX/CX, psychological safety, and leadership development.

Who It’s For

This version of the Hub supports:

• New users exploring The Resolution Framework™ for the first time
• Experienced HR professionals ready to embed deeper practices
• Union and staff reps seeking fairer systems
• CEOs and board members needing the business case for change

It works like a resolution coach, culture consultant, and policy expert – all in one!

Click here to have a go!