The Role of Wellbeing in Inclusive Workplaces: A Discussion with Julie Dennis from ACAS

Conversations on Wellbeing at Work

Aug 8 2023 • 38 mins

What does it take to cultivate a truly inclusive workplace? How can employers better support the mental health of their employees? Listen in as we sit down with Julie Dennis, the Head of Inclusive Workplaces at ACAS, to get her unique insights on these crucial questions.

Julie opens up about her personal wellbeing practices, the importance of walking, the joy derived from spending time with her grandchildren, and its impact on her work-life balance. We also reflect on the significant role that the murder of George Floyd played in sparking a renewed interest in diversity and inclusion.

We move on to discuss a study conducted in partnership with Health at Work that emphasises the importance of early interventions to support employees' mental health. We dig into the issue of reasonable accommodations and how they can be instrumental in retaining valuable employees. We touch on the crucial role managers play in facilitating these adjustments and explore the new guidance ACAS has released on this front.

As we wrap up our conversation, we tackle complex topics, such as workplace adjustments for employees with protected characteristics and the rise in calls to ACAS regarding sexual harassment. We underline the need for inclusive workplace cultures, free from harassment and discrimination. We further delve into the importance of being open about menopause, viewing it through an intersectional lens, and how grief policies in organisations can be informed by Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).

So, are you ready to re-envision your workplace? Let's get started!

You can find out more about ACAS on their site at https://www.acas.org.uk/

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