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 cov...

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 responsibiliti...

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...

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...

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 commissi...

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...

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 mo...

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 :   ·   &nb...

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,...

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 a...

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 ma...

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: ·     &...

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 ben...

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 Cha...

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, Clinic...

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...

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 c...

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 M...

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 Fujit...

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...

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 wellbeing Why leave, keeping in touch and (remote) Christmas parties matter W...

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 he...

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, th...

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 Busine...

With the pandemic likely to have a disproportionate 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 ma...