Conference Chairperson & Opening Remarks

Sue McLoughlin MBA, Founder and Managing Director, StriveToThrive.ie

Invisible Disability at Work – What Employers Need to Understand Now

Speaker: Eleanor McSherry, Senior Programme Coordinator, University College Cork

• What falls within the scope of invisible disability in workplace settings
• Why non-disclosure, late disclosure an inconsistent disclosure create risk
• Where employers are getting caught out in practice
• The operational impact on attendance, performance, communication and conduct
• Why this is now an employer liability issue, not just a wellbeing topic

Equality Law, Employer Responsibilities and Reasonable Accommodation

Speaker: Ciara McDermott, Senior Associate, Arthur Cox

• Employer obligations under equality and disability law
• What triggers the duty to act
• Reasonable accommodation in practice and where employers misjudge it
• The limits of what is considered reasonable
• Where WRC, Labour Court and case law are shaping expectations

Disclosure, Medical Information and Fair Decision-Making

• Must an employee disclose a condition to be protected?
• What can managers ask and what should be escalated
• Occupational health, medical evidence and privacy boundaries
• Handling partial information, informal disclosure and self-identification
• Building a response process that is fair, consistent and defensible

Managing Performance, Conduct and Capability Where Invisible Disability Is a Factor

• Distinguishing misconduct, capability and disability-related issues
• When performance concerns need a different management response
• Avoiding disciplinary escalation where support should come first
• How to document concerns, supports and decisions properly
• Common management mistakes that increase legal exposure

Line Managers on the Front Line – What They Need to Know and Do

Speaker: Culture One

• The warning signs managers should not ignore
• Responding to disclosure without making things worse
• Adjustments, communication changes and day-to-day management supports
• Escalation routes for HR, legal and occupational health input
• Giving managers practical guidance instead of vague policy statements

Reasonable Adjustments That Actually Work

Speaker: Jen Trzeciak, Consultant Occupational Therapist, Founder, Way Ahead Therapy

• Practical adjustments for neurodivergence and other non-visible conditions
• Communication, workload, flexibility, environment and process changes
• What can be done without major cost or structural overhaul
• Reviewing whether adjustments are working overtime
• Balancing business needs with individual support obligations

Workplace Culture, Bias and Psychological Safety

Speaker: Emily Heslop, Founder, Culture One

• Why employees often do not disclose invisible disabilities
• Fear, stigma and assumptions in workplace decision-making
• Building confidence for difficult conversations
• Creating a culture where support is usable, not just available
• The role of language, trust and consistency in retention

Fair Handling of Complaints, Grievances and Workplace Concerns

• How invisible disability issues escalate into grievances and claims
• Handling complaints around support, exclusion, bullying and unfair treatment
• Investigation and response steps that reduce further exposure
• What records and evidence employers need to keep
• Lessons from disputes that could have been prevented earlier