SME's 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...

This is the first in a series of Acas advice and guidance podcasts. 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...

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 Acas We discuss: what reasonable adjustments for mental...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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 pandemicHer insights on what’s made the biggest...

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...

With Christmas 2020 looking very different this year, we ask what managers can do to support their people at this time of year. Robbie Hurley is joined by Acas head of mental health and wellbeing, Francoise Woolley, and Acas workplace adviser, Susan Raftery, to uncover:  What’s unique about this time of year for our wellbeingWhy leave, keeping in touch and (remote) Christmas parties matterWhat to do if you think senior managers will not support Christmas fun  Episode Resources Holiday,...

Resilience - our ability to bounce back after (or during) difficulties - has a significant impact on how we work and how we feel at work. It's not something you either have or don't. For most of us, there are choices we can make, which will either strengthen or weaken our ability to cope during the coronavirus pandemic. Francoise Woolley, head of mental health and wellbeing at Acas, shares her insights into the small but powerful steps we can take to strengthen our resilience. Episode...

As a manager, keeping in touch with people working from home might seem like a simple thing - but it comes with challenges. Drawing on her experience in high-conflict situations, Acas deputy chief conciliator Marina Glasgow shares her techniques for holding effective and successful remote conversations. If you’re a manager wondering how you can prevent isolation, demotivation and disconnection, this is the episode for you.  Episode resources Acas advice on working from home Acas podcast on...

Whether or not you’re up to date with the language around neurodiversity, ADHD, autism, dyslexia and other terminology, most workplaces include people who think differently, and who might be part of a neurominority. To help us demystify neurodiversity and get proactive, we’re joined by Dr Nancy Doyle, CEO and founder of Genius Within, Adrian Ward, Head of Disability Partnerships at the Business Disability Forum and Erin Fulton-McAlister, Acas workplace adviser. We look at:  What...

With the pandemic likely to have a disproportion impact on disabled staff, we ask how workplaces and individuals can respond successfully. Joined by Jane Hatton, CEO and founder of Evenbreak, and Acas workplace adviser Caroline Sandy, we look at: What a good conversation around disability looks like Common myths How to ask for adjustments, especially when you think your workplace may not be supportive Episode resources:  Evenbreak Access to work Reasonable adjustments Improving equality,...

What does a diverse business have that a less diverse one does not? How do organisations address race equality in the workplace, and sustain it to deliver long term benefits? In our latest podcast we address these issues, and more. This frank and open discussion draws on the insights and experiences of Susan Clews, Acas Chief Executive; Julie Dennis, Acas Head of Diversity and Inclusion; and Afifa Kiran, Co-Chair of the Acas Race Equality Network and Acas workplace adviser, with Nike Siffre...

In this episode, we take a big-picture look at employee voice: why it matters now and what we need to do to strengthen it. As workplaces grapple with unprecedented change, what role should voice play in helping us to navigate the present and future challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic? We’re joined by Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, Paul Nowak, Deputy General Secretary of the TUC and Gill Dix, Head of Policy at Acas to discuss: -         What good voice really looks...

With many employers looking at changing contracts as a way of avoiding redundancies, we ask Acas advisers Mark Makin and Helen Robinson how to do it well. We explore: -         The best way to change employment contracts -         Why consulting staff matters -         How to this well remotely -         What your rights are as an employee Episode Resources https://www.acas.org.uk/changing-an-employment-contract Transcript Sarah Guthrie Welcome to the Acas Podcast. We're talking today about...

Acas adviser Chau Doan covers the main questions employees have been asking about redundancy and rights. We look at: What to do if you think you’ve been made redundant unfairlyHow to encourage your employer to look at alternatives to redundancy (if they aren’t already)Your rights around changing contractsPay and notice periods Plus why checking your contract, communicating early and following the process is so important. It's a huge topic and we couldn't cover everything - but watch this...