An estimated 15-20% of the population are thought to exhibit some form of Neurodivergence, and yet the rate of disclosure in the workplace is low as many employees fear discrimination. Unfortunately, there are still many barriers to accessing and maintaining successful employment. The Office for National Statistics reported that 64% of employers understanding little or nothing about Neurodivergent conditions.
There are several advantages to creating an inclusive workforce and increasing accessibility for Neurodivergent employees. Diverse teams tend to benefit from increased productivity, lower turnover, higher rates of employee satisfaction, and are better equipped to serve the wide-ranging needs of the public.
Through partnership with the East of England Local Government Association, Rethink Inclusion delivered Neurodiversity Awareness training to members of Chelmsford City Council in July. A productive session was spent exploring the language of Neurodiversity, characteristics of Neurodevelopmental conditions, the case for improving accessibility and inclusion for employees and at all stages of recruitment, potential workplace barriers, reasonable adjustments and more.
Attendees shared that the training helped them to become more aware of the barriers that may be affecting Neurodivergent individuals and they felt empowered to have conversations about Neurodiversity and encourage people to think more openly. The trainer shared her own perspectives as a Neurodivergent individual and gave attendees opportunities to share their ideas through exploring realistic workplace scenarios.
Given that 1 in 5 people are thought to exhibit some form of Neurodivergence, it is essential that organisations invest in training that gives them the skills and confidence to foster inclusivity and improve support for Neurodivergent individuals. By building awareness, organisations can break down misconceptions and reduce stigma, ultimately making their workplaces more accessible and productive for everyone.
When businesses are well equipped to support and understand Neurodivergence in the workplace, they can expect to benefit from improved employee retention, satisfaction, productivity and innovative problem-solving organisation-wide. Meaningful change begins with improved awareness and understanding.