Osmond Ergonomics & Wellbeing eBulletin: October 2025

This article was originally emailed as issue 191 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 08/10/2025. You can register here to receive them monthly.

Access to Work

I know it’s only two months since my last eBulletin item about this but it continues to be a central discussion in the workplace wellbeing community. Whilst there still seems to be no official change of government policy concerning the Access to Work scheme, there is clear evidence of de facto cuts and withdrawal of support for many people. The government’s ‘Pathways to Work’ green paper promises a complete review of benefits and support but, at this moment, it seems that workplace benefits for disabled people are in complete disarray. Much as we hate to see this, we see no prospect of a dramatic turnaround in the short term.

Our AOP (Accelerated Outcome Process) is a commercial alternative to AtW, designed to provide quick solutions and significant improvements in a cost-effective manner. It is quite separate from AtW and there is no government funding, but we find that the reduced stress, frustration, absenteeism, presenteeism and management resource of our process comfortably offsets the cost. Case by case, it also makes a small contribution to reducing the load on the AtW scheme. It is not effective for chronic conditions but, where a single intervention will suffice, AOP is an enormous relief to those who have been grappling with AtW support.

Find out more about our Single Point of Contact service here if you need support or here if you manage someone who needs support.

Power Dynamics

Our recent introduction webinar, Behind the Words: Power Dynamics, with Alison Leverett-Morris was really well received and we look forward to her half-day workshop on October 15th. Alison brings fascinating insights into the nature of behaviour and relationships. You can see the recorded webinar here and find out more about the workshop here.

Neuroinclusion Event

Last month’s in-person event was a compelling mix of excellent speakers, brilliant location (The Cheesegrater) and inspiring conversations. If you missed it, you can download the presentations at the foot of this page.

Preliminary details of our 2026 event programme, including both face-to-face and online opportunities, will be available soon.

It’s not just about ‘the kit’

It’s a simple fact: no matter how good your ‘ergonomic equipment’ is, you won’t benefit fully unless you use it properly. We have advocated proper training for over 30 years but, today, we see so many people who are issued with products, or just buy them online. No training, no explanation, just left to their own devices (literally). You can read more about the benefits of proper training here.

What’s your vision?

In recent conversations with HR and EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) professionals, it is clear they are usually driven by a vision of what their culture and/or workplace will look like as their strategy forms, evolves and rolls out.

Is your work vision-based or is it mostly about getting through the daily demands? I would love to explore this with you! Virtual coffee anyone?