Common problems for neurodivergent employees in the workplace
Dear Readers,
When I visited Goldman Sachs in April, one of the talks I particularly enjoyed was about creating a neuro-inclusive workplace. However, there are still some businesses that are struggling to adapt their offices for neurodivergent employees. In this post, I am going to look at the most common problems in the workplace, according to design company Motionspot, and find out how they can be resolved.
It is believed that companies that actively promote inclusivity will generate a 19% increase in revenue compared to competitors. However, Motionspot’s research has concluded that 22% of neurodivergent employees have declined a job offer due to the physical design of the workplace. In addition, 15% of neurodivergent employees are said to have resigned due to similar problems. These statistics are clear evidence that diversity is an asset in many businesses. However, according to Jason Slocombe, Motionspot’s Senior Inclusive Design Consultant, there seems to be a significant relationship between the built environment and the current talent shortage that employers are experiencing.
Motionspot’s research found the biggest challenges neurodivergent employees face in the office are:
• Frequent distractions (35%)
• Anxiety in social situations (35%)
• Fatigue and burnout (34%)
• Brain fog (32%)
• Sensory overload (31%)
As a neurodivergent individual myself, I can relate to some of these problems based on my experience in the college classroom. A lot of my classmates like to chat amongst themselves. This means that my surroundings often become loud, and I have had to resort to wearing noise-cancelling headphones so that I can focus. I have been given my own room in which to take exams. From the statistics recorded, it is very clear that I am not the only one to struggle with this. A lot of other neurodivergent employees have lacked the ability to focus in similar situations, and require a quieter area to work away from certain distractions, or provision of noise-cancelling equipment.
The final part of the survey looked at how businesses can make their workplace more inclusive, and this came with some intriguing results. It was revealed that many neurodivergent individuals preferred an element of choice in the office. 60% of workers said they prefer to move around different office areas during the day depending on the type of work they are doing, preferring:
• Private enclosed spaces (82%)
• Quiet spaces to lie down (64%)
• 'Cafe style' atmosphere (52%)
• Sensory rooms (14%)
This feature is also something that I benefit from in college. During our breaks, we can either stay in the classroom, where it’s generally quiet, or go down to the café and choose a snack or a drink. I love the fact that I don’t have to face the loud noises of my campus surroundings if I don’t want to, and it makes me feel in control.
This research has highlighted common problems for neurodivergent employees in the workplace. However, these issues can be easy to resolve. By making small adjustments to the workplace, not only are businesses actively promoting inclusivity, but they are also making sure that their neurodivergent employees feel comfortable.
Furthermore, many companies find that making these adjustments offer benefits to all staff, who use quiet rooms for prayer, for dealing with personal matters, for taking breaks, and for many other reasons.
Before I go, I would love to know any suggestions that you think could improve the workplace. What other features should businesses be adding to make their neurodivergent employees feel comfortable?
I hope you enjoyed this blog post, and I can’t wait to see you back next week