skip to main content

Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

Public body Acas has updated its disability guidance to provide clear advice on how to support disabled people at work.

Published: 16 May 2022 | 10:00 AM Updated: 17 May 2022 | 3:03 PM
Bright blue sky with a white sign post showing three arrows saying help, guidance, support and advice in different directions.
Acas provides free and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives on a range of topics. Image credit: Shutterstock.

Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial advice to employers, employees and their representatives on a range of topics including; employment rights, best practice and policies and resolving workplace conflict.

Its new and updated disability guidance covers:

  • Talking about disability at work
  • How an employer should support disabled people
  • Managing a disability that gets worse over time
  • Disability-related absence
  • Capability and performance when someone is disabled
  • More support for managing disability at work

You can view the full guidance pack via the official Acas guidance page.

About Acas

Acas works with millions of employers and employees every year to improve workplace relationships. It is an independent public body that receives funding from the government.

MU support

You can read more about Disabled Musicians' Rights via our dedicated information page. It covers; mental health and discrimination, pre-employment questions, reasonable adjustments, access to work grants, access riders for musicians and more.

The information is designed to provide musicians with information about your rights at work, as set out under the Equality Act 2010.

Representing and advocating on behalf of disabled musicians

At the MU we advocate on behalf of disabled and/or neurodivergent musicians to ensure their rights are upheld and strengthened – where they encounter discrimination, we’ll challenge it.  

Join our Disabled Member Network

The Disabled Members Network is a space for MU members who identify as disabled and/or neurodivergent to meet and discuss issues that impact their communities, shape MU policy, and change the music industry and the MU for the better.

Join the Disabled Member Network

Representing and advocating on behalf of disabled musicians

Continue reading

Naomi Pohl at Labour Party Conference 2024 holding a placard that says 'Labour's New Deal for Working People'.

Landmark Employment Rights Bill Becomes Law

The MU welcomes passage of the Employment Rights Bill, which will now become law. Shaped by trade union input, the legislation represents an important step forward for workers’ rights, equality and protections, with further reforms for freelancers promised in a second phase.

Published: 16 December 2025

Read more about Landmark Employment Rights Bill Becomes Law
A person's open palm holding a graphic of sound waves.

MU Urges Government to Back Musicians on AI

The MU is urging the Government to drop its original AI proposal after the interim consultation response revealed overwhelming opposition. With only 3% of respondents backing the preferred option, ministers must now deliver robust regulation to protect musicians’ rights.

Published: 16 December 2025

Read more about MU Urges Government to Back Musicians on AI
Close up of violin and bow.

Pernambuco Bows to Remain on Appendix II

A proposal to move pernambuco to Appendix I, which would have effectively halted international trade in the wood used for professional string instrument bows, has been rejected after lobbying by the MU and partners, ensuring continued access for musicians and stronger species protections.

Published: 15 December 2025

Read more about Pernambuco Bows to Remain on Appendix II