Author: Tyler Phillips
It is estimated that between 15 to 20 percent of the world’s population is neurodiverse. This can mean that employees have nearly a 1 in 4 chances of having a neurodiversity such as Dyslexia, ADHD or Autism. It is therefore imperative that employers strive to support and cater for neurodiverse talent to get the most out of their work forces.
Why Does Providing Support Matter?
There are numerous reasons why employers should provide supports for employees who are neurodivergent:
- Wider Talent Pool
- Catering for neurodivergent employees expands the pool of talent a company can draw from when they are recruiting. Ireland’s recent employment rates of 75 percent, a peak in the last ten years, means that companies are in stiff competition to attract talent.
- Diversity and Innovation
- It is well known that diversity in the workplace can lead to innovation and progress. For companies to thrive they must be future facing and constantly innovating.
- Retention
- Once a company has talent, it needs to hold on to it. Providing supports has been shown to improve overall employee retention. Notably, Microsoft and EY are amongst several large global companies that have seen a retention rate of 90 percent once they integrated neurodiversity staffing policies.
How Do We Provide Support?
Supports for neurodivergent talent can come in a myriad of ways:
- Staff Training
- Training for the wider team will increase disability awareness and allow them to be more considerate to fellow employees who may be neurodivergent. This can help in understanding one another’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Encourage Disclosure
- Not all employees want to or feel comfortable to disclose a neurodiversity to employers for fear of being judged. An open-door policy and communication regarding disability can help encourage disclosure and promote a more inclusive workplace.
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Making staff aware of general available accommodations and the process by which they can request specific accommodations is a prime way for companies to show they are actively engaged with neurodivergent team members. As the adage goes, “Actions speak louder than words”.
How to attract a wealth of talent?
To attract a wealth of talent, companies need to provide support for neurodivergent employees. This will ensure that employers are tapping into the largest and most diverse talent pool, leading to innovation and better retention. Open communication and awareness will ensure neurodiversity is incorporated within the fabric of the business.
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Sources
https://cognassist.com/neurodiversity-statistics-and-research/