The Acas Podcast

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+ supportEpisode resources:Advice and guidance on how to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in your workplace: https://www.acas.org.uk/improving-equality-diversity-and-inclusionDownload our free equality, diversity and inclusion policy template: https://www.acas.org.uk/equality-policy-templateEmma Dunn’s blog on the Equality Act 2010: https://www.acas.org.uk/the-equality-act-2010-agender-and-meLucie 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-0Read 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-workplaceTo contact an Acas adviser for specialist support,get in touchFor podcast and event updates sign up to our free email newsletterTranscript available atwww.acas.org.uk/podcast

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-conflictFor more resources to help you improve productivity in your workplace, visit: https://www.propelhub.org/Transcript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast

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 practisesHow better people management changes work for the betterWhat impact COVID-19 has had – and might continue to have – on making working lives betterEpisode 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-workplaceFor podcast and event updates sign up to our freeemail newsletterTranscript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast

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 differenceEpisode resources:For more information on supporting mental health during coronavirus, visit: www.acas.org.uk/mental-health-resourcesFor 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 touchFor podcast and event updates sign up to our freeemail newsletterTranscript available at www.acas.org.uk/podcast

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 HealthFive ways to wellbeingHeadspaceMental health first aidSpeak to an Acas adviser for tailored supportFor podcast and event updates sign up to our freeemail newsletterTranscript available atwww.acas.org.uk/podcast

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 funEpisode ResourcesHoliday, sickness and leave adviceCoronavirus and mental health adviceWebinar: Managing mental health (for managers) Talk to an Acas adviser about your workplace challengeFor podcast and event updates sign up to our freeemail newsletterTranscript to follow