Acorn Occupational Health Ltd

14/10/2026

Women’s health can have a significant impact on working life, from managing menopause symptoms to navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Creating a supportive workplace starts with awareness, open conversations and understanding that everyone's experience is different.

Our blog explores how employers can better support employees through these challenges and the role occupational health can play.

Read more: https://www.acornoh.co.uk/news-events/awareness/prioritising-womens-health-breast-cancer-and-menopause-awareness/

Read more on Prioritising Women's Health. Discover our blog posts which delve into topics within occupational health.

13/10/2026

The same diagnosis doesn't mean the same workplace needs.

Two employees with the same health condition may experience very different challenges at work. One might manage their usual duties without difficulty, while another may need adjustments to help them carry out their role.

Understanding a diagnosis is only part of the picture. It's also important to consider how an individual's health affects their day-to-day responsibilities, the demands of their role and what support could make a difference.

A management referral can help employers gain a clearer understanding of an employee's needs, with occupational health advice on fitness for work and potential reasonable adjustments.

Because effective support starts with the individual, not just the diagnosis.

08/10/2026

On-site or vouchers: which works for your workforce?

There’s more than one way to offer flu vaccinations to your employees.

On-site clinics can be a convenient option for teams working from one location, bringing the vaccination service directly into the workplace.

Flu vouchers offer greater flexibility for remote, hybrid or geographically dispersed teams, allowing employees to access their vaccination at a participating pharmacy.

Both options can help employers make flu vaccination more accessible to their workforce. The right approach depends on how and where your employees work.

This year, Acorn is offering both options, giving employers more flexibility when planning their workplace flu vaccination programme.

07/10/2026

Menopause is increasingly recognised as a workplace concern, with symptoms potentially affecting attendance, concentration, wellbeing and day-to-day working.

For larger employers, new equality action plans are also bringing menopause support further into focus, with plans expected to become mandatory from spring 2027, subject to legislation.

But having a plan is only part of the picture. Understanding how menopause is affecting an individual at work can help employers consider what practical support or adjustments may be appropriate.

Our latest blog looks at what the new requirements mean for employers and where occupational health can help.

Read the full blog to find out more:

06/10/2026

Ergonomic assessments aren’t just about checking whether someone is sitting correctly.

They can help identify factors within a workstation, task or working environment that may be contributing to discomfort or making work more physically demanding.

For example:

1. Awkward reaching
Repeated or sustained reaching that could be avoided through changes to the setup or task.

2. Repetitive movements
Tasks involving the same movements repeatedly throughout the working day.

3. Unsuitable equipment
Equipment that doesn’t properly support the way the task is being carried out.

4. Excessive force
Tasks requiring more pushing, pulling, lifting or grip force than necessary.

5. Poorly designed processes
Ways of working that could be adapted to reduce unnecessary physical demands.

Looking at the task as a whole can provide a clearer picture of where changes could make a difference.

01/10/2026

October’s Wellbeing Focus is Women’s Health & Cancer Awareness.

Women’s health and cancer can have a significant impact on working lives, whether that’s through changes in health, treatment, ongoing symptoms, time away from work or the process of returning to work.

For employers, these are important areas to understand. From supporting someone through cancer treatment to understanding how menopause symptoms can affect an employee at work, health and work are often closely connected.

There isn’t always a straightforward or one-size-fits-all approach. Every employee and every situation is different, which is why having an awareness of the challenges people may be experiencing can be so valuable.

Throughout October, we’ll be sharing more around women’s health, cancer awareness and the different ways these can intersect with working life.

23/09/2026

When someone experiences discomfort at work, it can be easy to focus on their posture, technique or the way they are carrying out a task.

But sometimes, the bigger picture tells a different story.

The workstation, equipment, working environment and way a task is designed can all contribute to discomfort or physical strain.

That’s why an ergonomic assessment shouldn’t just look at the individual. It should consider the person, the task and the environment together.

Could the equipment be better suited to the employee?
Is the task requiring repetitive or awkward movements?
Are there environmental factors that could be affecting how someone works?

Looking at the wider picture can help employers understand what may be contributing to a problem and identify practical changes that could make work more comfortable, efficient and sustainable.

Because sometimes, the answer isn't to change the person. It's to change the way the work is designed.

22/09/2026

Not every job carries the same level of risk.

Some roles involve tasks where an employee’s health, fitness or ability to respond appropriately could have serious consequences for themselves, their colleagues or members of the public.

This could include roles involving:

- Driving or operating vehicles
- Operating heavy machinery
- Working at height
- Working with hazardous equipment or environments
- Safety-critical transport and infrastructure roles
- Other work where an individual's fitness is essential to maintaining safe operations

For these roles, it's important to consider whether an employee is medically fit to carry out the specific demands of their job safely.

A Safety Critical Medical can help employers assess relevant aspects of an employee's health and fitness, providing occupational health advice that takes the requirements of the role into account.

At Acorn Occupational Health, we provide Safety Critical Medicals to help employers make informed decisions about fitness for safety-critical work and support a safer workplace.

17/09/2026

Supporting employees through life outside work💙

Employees don't leave their personal lives at the door when they arrive at work.

Bereavement, family difficulties, financial worries, relationship problems or other major life changes can all affect someone's wellbeing, and sometimes, their ability to manage at work.

While managers aren't expected to solve these personal challenges, they can play an important role in recognising when someone might be struggling and helping them access appropriate support.

Offering access to professional counselling can give employees a confidential space to talk, process what they're experiencing and explore ways to manage difficult circumstances.

Because supporting employee wellbeing isn't just about what happens in the workplace. Sometimes, it's about recognising the things happening outside of it too.

16/09/2026

Medical cannabis in the workplace - what do employers need to know?

As the use of prescribed medical cannabis continues to be an area of discussion, employers may be unsure how to approach it in the workplace.

From fitness for work and safety to workplace policies, confidentiality and reasonable adjustments, there are several factors to consider.

We’re resharing our guidance on Medical Cannabis in the Workplace to help employers understand the key considerations and how Occupational Health can support where things become more complex.

👉 Read the full blog here: https://www.acornoh.co.uk/news-events/guidance/medical-cannabis-in-the-workplace-what-employers-need-to-know/

Read more on Medical Cannabis In The Workplace. Discover our blog posts which delve into topics within occupational health.