URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO TACKLE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NEURODIVERSE WORKERS | Clare Reynolds

Podcast Radio Business Interviews

Clare Reynolds, Business Psychologist, Pearn Kandola speaks to Clayton M. Coke of Podcast Radio to discuss why URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED TO TACKLE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST NEURODIVERSE WORKERS.

A new report released today (Tuesday 16th July 2024) reveals workplaces across the UK are experiencing endemic discrimination of neurodiverse workers, with almost half of employees admitting they’ve experienced discriminatory behaviour towards neurodiverse colleagues.

It is thought that about 15 to 20 percent of the world's population is neurodivergent, a general term which includes conditions such as Autism, ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.

The Neurodiversity At Work (2024) report by Pearn Kandola, a business psychology consultants, found when job hunting, the barriers neurodiverse candidates face were “bias and negative attitudes” from employers, based on neurotypical assumptions and employers not offering or making reasonable adjustments.

KEY FINDINGS AT A GLANCE:

Almost half of employees (46%) have experienced discriminatory behaviour towards neurodiverse colleagues

Six in ten (63%) neurodiverse employees mask their condition from colleagues, and more than two in five (42%) admit to feelinguncomfortable asking their employer for adjustments to accommodate their neurodiverse traits

Six in Ten managers in the workplace have never had any training on how to manage colleague with neurodiversity

When they were able to navigate the job application and interview process, many found the workplace a hostile environment, with 6 in ten (63%) neurodiverse employees revealing they masked their condition from colleagues – hiding their discomfort or emotions - and more than two in five (42%) admitting they were uncomfortable asking their employer for adjustments to accommodate their neurodiverse traits.

Training was also lacking with seven in ten (70%) workers in the UK believing businesses do not do enough to accommodate people with invisible disabilities – such as providing visual aids to help people with dyslexia. Of those surveyed who manage staff at work (45%), six in 10 had never had any training on how to manage colleagues with neurodiversity.

Clare Reynolds is a Business Psychologist at Pearn Kandola who contributed to the report, and discusses the findings, and the importance of tackling inequality for neurodiverse workers and what more needs to be done.