In a new White Paper, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) calls on employers to demonstrate their commitment to building positive cultures which enable neurodiverse colleagues to openly discuss their needs.
It cites an online poll from late 2023 which found that 70% of neurodiverse people had not told their current employer about their condition while 50% said that they would not declare it on a job application.
IOSH believes neurodiverse people add value to workplaces but is concerned that not enough is being done to encourage potential employees to be open about conditions they have, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia.
Divergent Thinking: Embracing Neurodiversity at Work, which can be found here, has been published during the global Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18 to 24 March).
It calls on organisations to think of ways to show commitment to all employees including by: leaders openly discussing their own experiences of neurodiversity, encouraging the setting up of neurodiverse groups or networks, and ensuring there is a neurodiversity section in diversity and inclusion policies.
IOSH President, Stuart Hughes, said: “In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 made it a legal duty for employers to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate workers’ needs around neurodiversity and other conditions.” “So our call to businesses is to ask themselves if they are doing all they can.”
They need to review the policies and procedures they have in place and act accordingly, he went on, arguing that there are significant benefits to be had from a diverse workforce where everyone is comfortable in being themselves.
More information about Neurodiversity Celebration Week can be found here.