The Acas Podcast

In the latest episode of the Acas podcast, we talk to Susan Reilly and Emma Hughes from the Phoenix Group about setting up an employee forum. They tell us why this method of hearing employee voice works for them, and how it has supported the organisation through change. The conversation also covers: How employee forum relationships differ from HR and trade unions Forum structure What the forum covers Forum governance Host: Terry Duffy - Strategic Lead, Growth Partnership, Acas Guests: Susan Reilly - Head of Phoenix Employee Representation Forum Emma Hughes - Communication and Engagement Consultant, Phoenix Employee Representation Forum For more information about staff forums please visit our advice page: Using workplace forums to discuss important matters at work . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Acas Podcast, Terry Duffy (Strategic Lead, Acas) sits down with Professor Richard Saundry (Principle Research Fellow, University of Westminster) to discuss the benefits of upskilling line manages and giving them the confidence to address conflict at the earliest possible stage with an informal conversation. This is a must listen for anyone with line management responsibilities, HR practitioners and anyone with an interest in good workplace relations. Further reading: Acas blog: Skilled Managers Productive Workplaces - Translating research into workplace practice that works Training: Conflict management skills online course Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Acas Podcast, we’re joined by guest speakers, Professor Almuth McDowall, Professor of Organisational Psychology at Birkbeck University, and Jodie 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… Jodie will be speaking at the upcoming Acas conference - Resetting employment relations: building healthy workplaces to grow a strong economy , 15 May 2025, QEII, London. For more information: view agenda | register Presenter: · Ruhel Ahmed - Senior Policy Adviser, Acas Guidance: https://www.acas.org.uk/neurodiversity-at-work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Work Julie Denning, Managing Director of Working To Wellbeing and Chair of the Vocational Rehabilitation Association Francoise Woolley, Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing at Acas We discuss: what reasonable adjustments for mental health are what the law says supporting health and wellbeing Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast/mental-health-at-work-reasonable-adjustments Episode resources: Find out more about reasonable adjustments for mental health at work You can also: read research and case studies about reasonable adjustments for mental health find training on mental health in the workplace Use our templates for: making a mental health reasonable adjustment request confirming mental health reasonable adjustments reviewing and monitoring reasonable adjustments for mental health NICE guideline: Mental wellbeing at work For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 apprentice Episode resources: https://www.acas.org.uk/about-us/job-roles-at-acas/acas-apprenticeships https://www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-apprentices-and-work-experience/working-hours-for-apprentices https://www.gov.uk/become-apprentice Read 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 policy When and how to utilise occupational health The mistakes managers often make when managing sickness absence How to support staff through the sickness absence process Transcript 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-work Society of Occupational Medicine: https://www.som.org.uk/work-and-health/information-employers Training 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-health For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is important for employers to recognise and take steps to reduce work-related stress for their staff, encourage them staff to seek help at the earliest opportunity if they begin to experience stress. We are joined by Rob McGreal, HSE Policy Lead for work-related stress and mental health and Francoise Woolley, Acas Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing. We discuss: · What is work-related stress · Legal considerations · Supporting health and wellbeing Transcript available at https://www.acas.org.uk/podcast/work-related-stress-lifting-the-pressure-at-work Episode resources: Advice and guidance on how to support mental health and wellbeing at work: https://www.acas.org.uk/supporting-mental-health-workplace Training on mental health in the workplace here Caroline Bradshaw’s blog on ‘Make it routine to prevent work-related stress’: https://www.acas.org.uk/make-it-routine-to-prevent-work-related-stress Kate Nowicki’s blog on ‘Handling change, avoid stress’: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/blog-handle-change-avoid-stress HSE stress and mental health at work advice and guidance: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/ HSE Working Minds Campaign: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/campaigns/working-minds/ The campaign is calling for a culture change across Britain’s workplaces where recognising and responding to the signs of stress becomes as routine as managing workplace safety. For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Acas Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Julie Dennis, and co-founder of Utopia and Token Man, Daniele Fiandaca, explore the importance of allyship in the pursuit for gender equality in the workplace, and in wider society. This episode will cover a variety of allyship-related topics, some of which include; what is allyship, how men and women engaging in and committing to allyship benefits everyone, and suggestions for what organisations and leaders can do to encourage allyship, and reduce gender disparities in their workplace. Episode Resources · Equality and Diversity At Acas: https://www.acas.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity-at-acas · Menopause and the Law: https://www.acas.org.uk/menopause-at-work/menopause-and-the-law · Menopause at Work: https://www.acas.org.uk/menopause-at-work · If Your Treated Unfairly at Work: https://www.acas.org.uk/if-youre-treated-unfairly-at-work · Acas Training: https://obs.acas.org.uk/ · Token Man Website: https://www.tokenman.org/ · Masculinity in the Workplace report: https://www.weareutopia.co/publications To contact an Acas adviser for specialist support, get in touch For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Transcript at https://www.acas.org.uk/podcast/allyship-positively-moving-the-conversation-of-gender-equality-forward Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Supporting the menopause at work is important for both employers and their staff. In this episode we will discuss how organisations can create a supportive and inclusive environment, and the considerations they should be aware of to help their staff with menopause at work. We are joined by Haitham Hamoda, Clinical Lead for the menopause service at King's College Hospital and the immediate past Chair from the British Menopause Society, and Kate Nowicki, Director of Dispute Resolution at Acas. We discuss: · How to handle menopause at work · Creating a supportive environment · Legal rights and considerations Episode resources: Advice and guidance on how to handle menopause at work: https://www.acas.org.uk/menopause-at-work The British Menopause Society support and advice: https://thebms.org.uk Simone Cheng’s blog on ‘Normalising the menopause’: https://www.acas.org.uk/normalising-the-menopause Michelle Piertney’s blog on ‘Breaking the silence on the menopause’: https://www.acas.org.uk/breaking-the-silence-on-the-menopause To contact an Acas adviser for specialist support, get in touch Sign up to menopause and the workplace training For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast/discussing-menopause-at-work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Experiencing a bereavement can be a daunting and unsettling time. In this episode we discuss the support that organisations can give to help their staff with a bereavement, and the considerations they should be aware of, to provide a supportive and empathetic environment at work. We are joined by Tracey Taylor-Huckfield, Director of People and Corporate Services at Sue Ryder, Andy Langford, Clinical Director at Cruse, and Lucie Garvin, Subject Matter Expert at Acas. We discuss: · How to handle a bereavement at work · Supporting mental health and wellbeing · Legal rights and considerations Episode resources: Advice and guidance on how to handle a bereavement at work: https://www.acas.org.uk/time-off-for-bereavement Download our free bereavement policy template: https://www.acas.org.uk/example-bereavement-policy Acas Senior Policy Adviser, Adrian Wakeling’s blog on bereavement: https://www.acas.org.uk/working-with-bereavement-a-personal-reflection Sue Ryder online support: Online Bereavement Support | Sue Ryder Cruse online support: When your employee is bereaved - Cruse Bereavement Support To contact an Acas adviser for specialist support, get in touch For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do all employers take pride in their people? In this episode we focus on the importance of organisations supporting their LGBTI+ communities and what practical steps they can take to be a more diverse and inclusive workplace. We are joined by Lucie Garvin, Deputy Chair of the Acas LGBTI+ & Allies staff network; Tom Price who is the Senior Leader Champion for the Acas LGBTI+ & Allies staff network and Emma Dunn, Chair of a:gender, the cross-government network supporting trans and intersex staff across government. We discuss: · Issues affecting LGBTI+ people at work · How to set up an LGBTI+ & Allies staff network · Celebrating Pride and continued LGBTI+ support Episode resources: Advice and guidance on how to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in your workplace: https://www.acas.org.uk/improving-equality-diversity-and-inclusion Download our free equality, diversity and inclusion policy template: https://www.acas.org.uk/equality-policy-template Emma Dunn’s blog on the Equality Act 2010: https://www.acas.org.uk/the-equality-act-2010-agender-and-me Lucie Garvin’s blog on how Acas relaunched it’s LGBTI+ & Allies staff network: https://www.acas.org.uk/lucie-garvin-our-network-is-helping-to-make-lgbt-history-at-acas-0 Read the findings from research conducted by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) on supporting trans employees in the workplace: https://www.acas.org.uk/supporting-trans-employees-in-the-workplace To contact an Acas adviser for specialist support, get in touch For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is the first of our new, special edition podcasts on The Future of Work, featuring debate and thought-provoking questions with special guests, on key themes around the future of work. In this episode, Gill Dix, head of policy at Acas, looks at new research commissioned by Acas on the cost of conflict to UK workplaces. Conflict is an inevitable part of life, but what is the financial cost of conflict to workplaces in the UK? Is it taken seriously by organisations? Does investing in conflict management make sense for all workplaces or just some? Join Gill and the report’s authors, Richard Saundry, Professor of Human Resource Management and Employment Relations at Sheffield University and Peter Urwin, Professor of Applied Economics at the University of Westminster to unpack the cost of conflict and what we can do about it. Episode resources: Read the report on the cost of conflict here: https://www.acas.org.uk/costs-of-conflict For more resources to help you improve productivity in your workplace, visit: https://www.propelhub.org/ Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is good work? Does better people management really make a difference to productivity? In this episode, we focus in on good work in Manchester. We look at how the joint work by Acas, CIPD and Manchester Growth Hub is highlighting just how critical investing in people management skills is to creating good employment – even in a pandemic. We’re joined by Ian McArthur head of the Greater Manchester good employment charter, Daphne Doody, head of CIPD in northern England, and Terry Duffy, Acas area director for the northwest of England. We unpack: The argument and evidence for good work practises How better people management changes work for the better What impact COVID-19 has had – and might continue to have – on making working lives better Episode notes: Manchester’s Good Employment Charter, which also includes links to free resources is here: https://www.gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/ You can read the joint report and find links to useful resources: https://www.gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/news-blogs/posts/2021/april/soft-skills-in-hard-times-why-good-people-management-matters-more-than-ever/ If you're looking for tailored support to improve your workplace culture and practises, check out our website: https://www.acas.org.uk/tailored-support-for-your-workplace For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does investing in mental wellbeing really bring business benefits? We’re joined by Sarah-Jane Littleford, Head of Responsible Business at Fujitsu Global Delivery in the second of three episodes featuring stories from employers working to improve mental health at work. Sarah-Jane shares: How it makes business sense for Fujitsu to invest in the mental wellbeing of their people. How Fujitsu’s approach to wellbeing has shifted during the pandemic Her insights on what’s made the biggest difference Episode resources: For more information on supporting mental health during coronavirus, visit: www.acas.org.uk/mental-health-resources For in depth analysis, in our latest policy paper, Adrian Wakeling explores the impact that COVID-19 is having on how workplaces support mental health. To contact an Acas adviser for specialist support, get in touch For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does a large, complex organisation create a coherent mental wellbeing strategy that works? In the first of three episodes showcasing employers taking action on wellbeing, we’re joined by Martin Short, Head of Wellbeing, Inclusion and Diversity at the Defence Intelligence unit, which is part of the Ministry of Defence. This episode is for leaders, managers and advocates for mental health in the workplace. You’ll hear how Martin created a wellbeing strategy with distinct stages, what actions made a difference, and how you can influence others in your organisation to make wellbeing a priority. Episode resources: The Acas Framework for Positive Mental Health Five ways to wellbeing Headspace Mental health first aid Speak to an Acas adviser for tailored support For podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletter Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.