The key to empowering your neurodivergent employees is simple and free
In November, we partnered with Send it to Alex to host Empowering Neurodivergent Employees: An Employer’s Guide. Our panellists shared their expertise and insight on what steps employers can take to create a more neuro-inclusive workplace.
Cat Wildman, founder of Powered by Diversity, shared how activating your data can be a powerful tool for inclusivity in the workplace.
Harry Tomlinson, a Disability Confident Champion in Oxfordshire, offered practical advice on inclusive hiring practices, like including contact information on job ads, so that applicants can reach out regarding accessibility needs for interviews. Learn more about becoming a Disability Confident Employer here.
Alice Hargreaves, founder of SIC, emphasised the power of offering flexible working to employees. Learn more about SIC here.
Lillie Jamieson, director of Send it to Alex, explained how the Access to Work programme can benefit employees.
And Kirsty Kirby of Lab42 Games shared that the most impactful adjustment employers can make is not only free, but easy to start today: Communication.
Our panellists all agreed: the most important things an employer can do to create a more neuroinclusive workplace is to listen to employees’ needs and share information clearly and regularly.
This can look like:
Giving your employees space to express concerns, and raise any barriers that they’re coming up against in their working day, whether that’s related to their environment or assigned tasks
Sharing agendas in advance of meetings
Doing what you say you’re going to do as a manager
Playing to your employees’ strengths as much as possible, instead of applying a one-size-fits-all policy for measuring success
“Listening and creating flexibility at work benefits everyone - not just neurodivergent employees,” said SIC founder and CEO Alice Hargreaves. “When management is open to employees’ experience, and dedicated to making adjustments that make everyone feel more supported and comfortable at work, the whole team thrives.”
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