Allergy-Aware Workplaces: Creating Safe, Inclusive Environments

Allergy-Aware Workplaces: Creating Safe, Inclusive Environments

Is your workplace prepared to support employees with food allergies?

With adult food allergies increasing dramatically, this is no longer a niche concern. It’s a workplace health and safety issue that requires practical knowledge, clear policies, and a culture of inclusion.

This comprehensive online course equips HR professionals, WHS officers, and managers with the evidence-based knowledge and practical tools to create truly allergy-aware workplaces, going beyond basic compliance to foster environments where every employee feels safe and included.

What You’ll Learn

Module 1: Understanding Workplace Food Allergy Risks (20 minutes)
Discover why adult allergies are on the rise and what this means for your workplace. Understand your WHS obligations, what “reasonably practicable” actually means in legal terms, and how allergies are protected under disability discrimination legislation.

Module 2: Creating Allergy-Aware Policies (25 minutes)
Get practical guidance on shared kitchen management, food storage protocols, and event catering policies that work in the real world. Learn communication strategies that protect employee privacy while ensuring safety, plus access customisable policy templates ready to implement.

Module 3: Reasonable Accommodations (20 minutes)
Navigate the balance between individual needs and operational requirements. Understand what employees can reasonably request, what employers can reasonably implement, and when to involve HR, WHS officers, and managers. Includes real case studies and legal considerations.

Module 4: Recognition & Response (30 minutes)
Learn to recognise mild, moderate, and severe allergic reactions. Understand the critical difference between “call an ambulance” and “keep monitoring.” Watch a detailed video demonstration of when and how to use an EpiPen, what to do while waiting for paramedics, and essential post-incident protocols.

Module 5: Inclusive Events & Catering (25 minutes)
Master real-world scenarios: team lunches, client meetings, Christmas parties, conferences, and training events. Learn the right questions to ask caterers and how to create genuinely inclusive (not just compliant) food experiences that allow everyone to participate fully.

Module 6: Communication & Culture (20 minutes)
Discover best practices for allergy disclosure, how managers should respond sensitively, and how to educate teams without singling people out. Build an allergy-aware workplace culture that supports employees with allergies without overstepping boundaries.

This Course Is Perfect For:

• HR Managers and HR Business Partners
• WHS Officers and Safety Coordinators
• Team Leaders and Department Managers
• Operations Managers
• Facilities and Office Managers
• Anyone responsible for workplace safety, catering, or events

What’s Included:

✔️ 6 comprehensive modules (2.5 hours total)
✔️ Video demonstrations including EpiPen use
✔️ Customisable policy templates ready for your workplace
✔️ Real case studies and practical scenarios
✔️ Downloadable resources and reference guides
✔️ Certificate of completion
✔️ Lifetime access to course materials and updates

Why Learn From Me?

I’m Heidi, a Registered Nurse with 25+ years of experience, including over a decade as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pediatric Immunology & Allergy. I  run The First Aid Nest, specializing in allergy education and emergency response training.

This course draws on my extensive clinical experience, current evidence-based guidelines, and deep understanding of both the medical and practical workplace challenges of managing food allergies.

The Outcome:

By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to:

• Meet your legal WHS obligations with clarity
• Create policies that protect employees while remaining workable
• Respond appropriately to allergy disclosures and incidents
• Plan inclusive events where everyone can participate safely
• Build a workplace culture that genuinely supports employees with allergies

Ready to create a safer, more inclusive workplace?

Enrol now and gain immediate access to all modules, templates, and resources.