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.

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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 - The power of informal conflict resolution at work

Training: Conflict management skills online course

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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. 

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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. 

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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

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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

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