Welcome to Onvero's hub aimed at assisting your organisation navigate challenging times of social and political unrest.
Some employers and employees may be affected by turbulent events that lead to unrest, rioting, or other distressing situations. While we are unable to offer specific guidance on how to communicate with your teams, we recommend that any messaging be aligned with your organisation’s values, behaviours, and relevant strategies, policies, and practices.
It’s important that employees feel psychologically safe at work, and that their wellbeing is actively supported. An authentic message from senior leaders can help set the tone and encourage open, honest dialogue. Reaffirming your commitment to an inclusive workplace culture is key, alongside offering one-to-one support through line managers or other appropriate channels.
We also encourage you to consider the mental health and wellbeing support available to your employees, such as employee resource groups (ERGs), employee networks, assistance programmes and other internal services.
We have developed a number of specialised resources which could help inform your approach.
Some Onvero resources are for members only. To become a member, please contact us.
Specialised resources
The following resources include practical tips, guidelines, and best practices for supporting employees who might be affected during times of unrest:
Additional resources
In addition, you may find the following resources helpful.
Blogs
Case Study
Employer Guides
Hubs
Quick Guides
- Addressing Antisemitism in the Workplace
- Addressing Islamophobia in the Workplace
- Flexible Working
- Identifying and Addressing Stress at Work
- Microaggressions
- Psychological Safety
- Quiet Reflection Rooms in the Workplace
- Signposting Employees onto Mental Health and Wellbeing Services
- Understanding Philosophical Beliefs
- World Hijab Day
Recordings
- Allyship in Action: Creating Inclusive Workspaces
- Being Anti-Racist – What Does It Mean?
- Faith Forward: Embracing Religious Diversity at Work
- Inclusive Culture: An Intersectional Approach to Notable Dates
- Navigating Political Conversations at Work: Finding Balance and Respect
- Psychological Safety and Inclusion: Building Happier, Healthier Workplaces
- Race Equality in Action: Empowering Change, One Step at a Time
- Resolving Differences: Managing Rights in Conflict in the Workplace
- Standing Firm: Allyship and Anti-Racism with Power and Pride
- Supporting Employees in Times of Unrest (slides only)
- Understanding and Addressing Antisemitism in the Workplace
- Understanding and Addressing Islamophobia in the Workplace
- Workplace Culture: Religion, Beliefs, and World Views
External Resources
- CIPD, Harassment and bullying at work
- CIPD, Standing against violence and discrimination – Employer advice during times of unrest, 6 August 2024
- Gov.uk, Writing about ethnicity, December 2021
- Health and Safety Executive, Mental health conditions, work and the workplace
- Health and Safety Executive, Work-related stress
- Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (hseni), Mental well-being at work
- Legislation.gov.uk, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
- Legislation.gov.uk, Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
- Legislation.gov.uk, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- London Loves Business, Businesses can’t ignore the violence on UK streets, 7 August 2024
- Mind, Racism and Mental Health
- PRCA, PRCA REEB reacts to rioting and violence, 6 August 2024
- WiredGov, Human rights watchdog calls on governments to address major disparities faced by some ethnic minorities in England and Wales, 7 August 2024
This resource was updated in August 2025.