01489 880881 Donate Shop Making Workplaces Autism-Friendly About Autism Making Workplaces Autism-Friendly There are a number of changes that an employer can implement to make a workplace more autism-friendly. A workplace that recognises neurological diversity (neurodiversity) is a workplace that is better for all workers. It will also benefit workers who may not be aware that they are on the autism spectrum, workers who do not have a formal diagnosis, or workers who do not have the confidence to ask for changes. Here are some suggestions for possible adjustments to the workplace to make it more autism-friendly: clear and logical rules and expectations a relaxation space in the workplace: e.g. a quiet room reduction in sensory distraction/overload in the workplace: e.g. maximise natural light, enable easy control of light and temperature, reduce strong smells information about autism, and about support services, available so that all workers can access it training for managers and others about autism, including recognising autistic positives and skills all instructions and policies to be written and communicated clearly and accurately tools to assist personal work organisation, for example visual timetables, organiser apps that only objective criteria are used for assessment/promotion that work schedules are adhered to inclusion of autism in harassment and bullying policies, to minimise harassment and bullying of autistic workers and so that managers or employees who bully or discriminate against autistic workers are dealt with appropriately. Reasonable adjustments for individual autistic workers might include: paid time off when needed fixed hours rather than variable shifts reducing specific sensory stimuli in the workplace, e.g. locating that individual’s workstation in a quieter or less bright part of the office change of work location, for example to be nearer home, or nearer support facilities, or to a work location which is quieter or less over-stimulating extra breaks to enable relaxation providing a mentor individual support where schedules are unavoidably disrupted and when changes are introduced adjustment to the way in which assessments are carried out a clear routine and work schedule a personal workstation (rather than sharing a workstation or ‘hot-desking’) relaxation of triggers for disciplinary action for matters such as sickness absence or mistakes arising from executive function impairment additional training time off for treatment/appointments, as part of a policy for disability leave re-allocating some work to colleagues, with their agreement. Access To Work funding may be available for some of these measures. You can see more information about this here: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview. Useful resources: Finding Employment Employing autistic people - a guide for employers Factsheet Reasonable Adjustments in the workplace.docx Creating opportunities, challenging perceptions, enhancing choices and providing high quality services to meet the diverse needs of people on the autism spectrum Keep up to date with us Submit I would like to receive news and updates from Autism Hampshire using this information. How we can help About Autism About us Support Us Local Autism Directory News & Events Jobs Donate Need local autism help and information? Call our Information, Advice and Guidance Team 02380 766 162 See our contact page for specific departments Privacy Statement Contact Links Accessibility Options © Autism Hampshire, all rights reserved. Charity Reg No: 288141. Reg. No. 01710300