The Acas Podcast

In this episode of the Acas Podcast, we’re joined by guest speakers, Professor Almuth McDowall, Professor of Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck University, and Jodi Hill, Managing Partner and founder of Thrive Law, for a deep dive discussion on neurodiversity in the workplace. The conversation covers: ·        What does it mean to be ‘neuro inclusive’?·        What the latest research tells us·        What workplaces can do to be more inclusive of neurodivergent individuals·        The role of line managers·        What small businesses can do·        Managing conflict, and much more…  Presenter:  ·        Ruhel Ahmed - Senior Policy Adviser, Acas  Guidance: https://www.acas.org.uk/neurodiversity-at-work

In this episode of the Acas Advice & Guidance podcast we talk to Angela Wright, Organisational Lead at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation about introducing mediation into the workplace. Our conversation covers the benefits and challenges of introducing mediation and will be of interest to anyone involved with conflict resolution in the workplace or people managers. For more information on how Acas can support you with workplace mediation please visit our mediation page on the Acas website. Further reading: Acas blog - Making the case for mediation.

In recent years, the number of disability discrimination claims going to employment tribunal has increased. What is causing this increase and what are the characteristics of these claims?  Julie Dennis, Head of Inclusive Workplace Policy at Acas is joined by Dr Martin Mitchell, Senior Researcher at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to discuss the latest research commissioned by Acas that takes a closer look at the lifecycle of a disability discrimination tribunal claims. They also discuss what organisations and people managers can do to better support colleagues with disabilities.  Guidance and support:  Disability at work | Flexible working Further reading:  Research: Characteristics and drivers of disability discrimination claims

SMEs and mediation – what’s the problem?  In the latest Acas Podcast, Emma McClean, Acas Individual Dispute Resolution Manager, talks to Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, to discuss early, informal dispute resolution, such as mediation. They also discuss the barriers small businesses face when introducing or using mediation in the workplace and the perception of Acas impartiality. Guidance and support:  Acas - For more information and guidance about mediation please visit the Acas mediation webpage.  FSB - For details about the legal and HR support available from FSB as part of its membership package, visit fsb.org.uk/membership. Mediation Conference:  UK Mediation Conference 2024 –25TH November 2024 | Congress Centre, London | 08:30-17:40 The UK’s leading conference bringing together Mediators, HR Professionals and Leaders. This industry-leading event will examine the conflict journey, the evidence supporting the case for a less formal approach[CR1] , including examples on what works (and what doesn’t) and partial mediation skills and techniques. To find out more visit our event page. To book your place visit our event registration page.Further reading: Making the case for mediation

Welcome to the first episode of the new Acas Advice & Guidance podcast. In this shorter format series, we will discuss the key-points of the latest employment relations issues and will sign-post to further advice, guidance, and support. In this episode we will be discussing what you need to know about flexible-working – What it is, the main changes and what you need to do. For more information visit the Acas flexible working page. 

Inclusive workplaces – supporting women through menopause In this episode we discuss how workplaces can better support women going through menopause. Helen Tomlinson discusses her role as the Governments first ever Menopause Employment Champion and Kate Nowicki gives her thoughts and observation from her role as Acas Menopause Champion.  We’re joined by:  ·        Helen Tomlinson – Head of Talent (UK & Ireland) for the Adecco Group and Menopause Employment Champion  ·        Kate Nowicki – Director of Dispute Resolution for Acas. We discuss:  ·        The role of allyship·        Importance of workplace culture ·        Implementing a menopause policy   Transcript available here:    Episode resources:  Further reading. Menopause at work guidance: https://www.acas.org.uk/menopause-at-work Menopause and the law: https://www.acas.org.uk/menopause-at-work/menopause-and-the-law  Upcoming events:. Conference: Living and working with menopause  https://obs.acas.org.uk/ViewEvent.aspx?EventId=207038  For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter. 

In this episode we will explore how employers can support their staff with reasonable adjustments for mental health, creating a healthy work culture and demonstrating a commitment to good practice.We’re joined by:Jo Yarker, Managing Partner at Affinity Health at WorkJulie Denning, Managing Director of Working To Wellbeing and Chair of the Vocational Rehabilitation AssociationFrancoise Woolley, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at AcasWe discuss:what reasonable adjustments for mental health arewhat the law sayssupporting health and wellbeingTranscript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast/mental-health-at-work-reasonable-adjustmentsEpisode resources:Find out more about reasonable adjustments for mental health at workYou can also:read research and case studies about reasonable adjustments for mental healthfind training on mental health in the workplace Use our templates for:making a mental health reasonable adjustment requestconfirming mental health reasonable adjustmentsreviewing and monitoring reasonable adjustments for mental healthNICE guideline: Mental wellbeing at workFor podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter

In this episode, Acas Senior Learning and Development Manager Garry Besford is joined by Acas apprentices to discuss apprenticeships and how they can benefit the individual and the organisation.We discuss:·      What an apprenticeship is·      The benefits of hiring an apprentice·      What makes a good apprenticeEpisode resources:https://www.acas.org.uk/about-us/job-roles-at-acas/acas-apprenticeshipshttps://www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-apprentices-and-work-experience/working-hours-for-apprenticeshttps://www.gov.uk/become-apprenticeRead Ben Littlewood's blog where he shares an apprentice's guide to loneliness at work and what support Acas can offer: https://www.acas.org.uk/an-apprentices-guide-to-loneliness-at-work 

In this episode Acas Area Director, Paul Beard, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine, Shriti Pattani and the Managing Director of the Ape Group, Alfie Payne unpack the topic of sickness absence, offering managers first-hand advice and best practice on how they can better manage it.We discuss:What makes a good absence policyWhen and how to utilise occupational healthThe mistakes managers often make when managing sickness absenceHow to support staff through the sickness absence processTranscript available at: https://www.acas.org.uk/podcast/sickness-absence-how-employers-can-better-manage-sick-leave Episode Resources:Acas’s Absence from Work Guidance: https://www.acas.org.uk/absence-from-workSociety of Occupational Medicine: https://www.som.org.uk/work-and-health/information-employersTraining on sickness absence in the workplace here.Read Dr Kabir Abraham Varghese (Society of Occupational Medicine) blog on referring employees to occupational health: https://www.acas.org.uk/helping-smes-understand-occupational-healthFor podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter