ACAS has recently published some guidance on ‘Reasonable adjustments for mental health’.
Proposed Changes to the Acas Disciplinary and Grievance Code
Acas is consulting on the first full revision of its Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures since 2009. The consultation is open until 23 September 2026. The proposed Code has not yet taken effect, but it gives employers a useful indication of how...
Custom and Practice in Employment Contracts: When Informal Workplace Habits Become Legal Obligations
When employers think about employment contracts, they usually think about the written document. The offer letter, the contract of employment, the staff handbook, the policies and any signed variations. That is understandable. Written terms matter. They give both sides...
Managing Absence in a Changing Workplace
Employee absence is a normal part of working life, but when it is not managed effectively, a few missed days can quickly have a wider impact. Additional workloads, reduced productivity and pressure on colleagues can all affect the day-to-day running of a business. For...
https://lnkd.in/esrYxDwE
The guidance emphasises that employers should take mental health problems as seriously as physical illnesses and points out that making reasonable adjustments for mental health can help employees to stay in work and work safely and productively, while also helping employers to retain employees and create a healthy work culture.
Examples are given of reasonable adjustments for mental health and employees are encouraged to talk to their employer if they need reasonable adjustments.
Tips are given on how to approach these conversations. The employer is also given tips on how to respond to requests for reasonable adjustments. If any reasonable adjustments are agreed, a trial period and monitoring is recommended bearing in mind that mental health problems can be long-lasting and individuals’ needs may change over time.
Guidance is given to managers on how to support those they manage to access the support that they need. Finally Acas recommends reviewing policies with mental health in mind, and suggests that employers have a policy in place that covers reasonable adjustments for mental health.
If you would like to implement a Mental Health Policy or would like any guidance, please contact me.