ACAS has published guidance (available here) to help employers learn about neurodiversity and to suggest changes that can be made in the workplace to better support ‘neurodivergent’ staff. ‘Neurodiversity’ refers to the way an individual’s brain works and interprets information.  ‘Neuro-normal’ or ‘neuro-typical’ was originally coined in the autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) community for someone…
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ACAS has published guidance (available here) on age discrimination. The guidance includes how age discrimination can happen in the workplace, how to prevent it, and how different treatment because of age can be allowed in very limited circumstances. The guidance explains situations where employers are at risk of ageism and how to avoid discriminating against…
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ACAS has published new advice (available here) providing ‘top tips’ for employers on how to fairly treat their staff. The new advice comes after research reveals that only 1 in 4 organisations adapt performance management processes to consider staff with disabilities and conditions such as dyslexia and autism. The research also highlights that 1 in…
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ACAS has published new guidance on job references (available here), which helps clarify the rules around employment references for employers and employees.  While ACAS has previously given limited guidance on employment references in its advisory booklet on recruitment and induction, this is its first comprehensive guidance tailored to employers, particularly on more complex issues such…
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ACAS has published two new sets of guidance for employers, on overtime and suspensions, available here. Overtime:  the guidance highlights the importance of setting out terms relating to it in employment contracts or staff handbooks. It urges both employers and workers to keep detailed records of the amount of overtime worked and how much time…
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ACAS has published guidance (available here) for employers on how to manage potentially difficult situations throughout the course of the World Cup. The guidance advises employers on several issues, including offering flexible working options, social media use and drinking alcohol at work.
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ACAS has published new guidance on religion and belief discrimination at work, available here. The guidance provides a brief introduction to religion and belief discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and provides further information on how employers can accommodate workers with religious beliefs. The guidance urges employers to take a flexible approach to religious dress…
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ACAS has published new guidance on the rights of agency workers, available here (commentary here). The guidance follows an increase in the number of calls received from agency workers unaware of their legal entitlements. It highlights several employment rights available to agency workers, including their right: to be paid despite their agency not receiving payment…
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Sexual harassment at work: Following the recent high profile sexual harassment cases, ACAS has published new guidance (available here).  This guidance assists employers with how to identify and support people who face sexual harassment at work. ACAS highlights a number of behaviours that could be interpreted as sexual harassment, including the display of explicit images,…
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To coincide with the World Mental Health day on 10 October 2017, ACAS have published the following guidance: Promoting Positive Mental Health in the Workplace, available  here; Dealing with Stress in the Workplace, available here; and Managing Staff Experiencing Mental Ill Health, available here.
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