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PAE
have particular sensory sensitivities (finding
the general hubbub of open-plan offices
anxiety-provoking, for example). They may
struggle to process large amounts of written or
verbal information, resulting in confusion and
anxiety.
Businesses need awareness
Businesses and organisations looking to
support neurodivergence in the workplace
should initially focus on increasing awareness
and understanding among leaders and
managers.
neurodivergence. To suggest someone is
Managers need to work with individual staff neurodivergent and requires a psychological
who have self-identified as neurodivergent to assessment may lead to personal distress and
understand and implement what is needed to potentially breach employment law.
support them.
Employers should also be aware of the
There may be some very practical steps that lengthy and complicated pathway to an adult
can be taken, such as having designated diagnosis, due to factors such as lack of
low-stimulus areas, providing noise-cancelling clear adult diagnostic criteria and shortage of
headphones, or understanding how best trained clinicians. Employers can support staff
to communicate clearly and simply with an in this process by allowing flexibility in work
individual. Some staff may wish to take up hours to attend specialist appointments, or
psychological support via their workplace to even funding access to assessments in the
help them develop skills in areas they find private sector.
difficult.
The rise of awareness about neurodivergence
Technically, neurodivergence is likely to fall mirrors the rise in awareness of mental health
under the Employment Relations Act, which conditions in the workplace generally.
prohibits businesses from discriminating
against people with these conditions. Indeed, Although this increased visibility can be
the legislation requires an employer to make confusing for some staff and organisations,
reasonable allowances in the workplace. recognition and understanding of
neurodivergence can only be good for
Perhaps the worst thing an employer can do businesses in the long term.
is overlook neurodivergence as being present
in the workplace. Ignorance, whether wilful or Helping people operate to their full potential by
not, will lead to inaction. understanding their strengths and challenges
will ultimately lead to thriving and productive
That said, it would also be a mistake for workplaces.
an employer to unilaterally refer a staff
member for an assessment of suspected theconversation.com
20 May 2024
