The Acas Podcast

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 workTraining: Conflict management skills online course

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

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.