A fifth (20%) of neurodivergent employees say they have experienced discrimination or harassment while at work, finds research by the CIPD.
The CIPD report, Neuroinclusion at Work, says that very few employers are thinking about neurodiversity or neuroinclusion which is a “significant missed opportunity” to address talent shortages and tackle inequalities faced by neurodivergent people.
A third (33%) of survey respondents say their experience at work has negatively impacted their mental wellbeing and a fifth (21%) say it has negatively impacted their ability to perform well in their job.
Some 19% say their workplace experience has affected their intention to stay with their employer and the likelihood that they would recommend their employer to a friend.
However, more than half (55%) of the 1,047 employees and 1,003 senior managers surveyed said their organisation was neuroinclusive.
In just under a third (31%) of organisations, neurodiversity was not formally talked about by HR, senior leaders, line managers or an employee resource group, although 31% of neurodivergent employees hadn’t told their line manager or HR about their condition. Of these, 44% said non-disclosure was because this was a private matter, 37% because of concerns about stereotypical assumptions, 34% because there was too much stigma, and 29% because of fears of possible negative impact on their career.
“Neurodiversity needs to be a key focus in an organisation’s equality, diversity and inclusion work,” said Jill Miller, senior equality, diversity and inclusion policy adviser at the CIPD.
- See also: ‘Enabling power’ (here), for more on tailored coaching for leaders with disabilities