Neurodiversity at Work: Drive Innovation, Performance and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce

Description

An organization's employees are its biggest competitive advantage. Performance gains can be achieved through cost saving, process improvement or technology adoption, but the biggest difference is made by people. This means that recruiting, engaging and retaining the very best talent has never been more important. Crucially, these employees should be a diverse group of people with different approaches, skills and strengths in problem-solving and driving innovation. As well as focusing on gender, race, age and class, it is critical that businesses also develop a neurodiverse workforce if they are committed to outperforming the competition and achieving sustainable business growth. Neurodiversity at Work is a practical guide that explains what neurodiversity is, why it's important and what the benefits are. It covers how to attract, recruit and engage neurodiverse talent and provides guidance on how to adapt HR policies, processes and workplaces to ensure that all employees, including the 2 in 10 employees in the UK who are neurodiverse, can reach their full potential. Neurodiversity at Work is packed full of case studies from leading organizations like Microsoft who are already seeing the productivity, performance and financial benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace. Individuals in these companies are also experiencing benefits in their working environments. Also featured are interviews with prominent figures in the neurodiversity community and people who have successfully adapted their HR processes for neurodiversity, including members of the ND@IBM Program and the Head of People and Culture at Autotrader. With tips, advice, examples and 'how to' actions in every chapter, this is essential reading for every HR professional. Praise For Neurodiversity at Work Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents About the Authors Theo Smith Professor Amanda Kirby Preface Why have we created this book? Who is it for? Introduction We are all neurodiverse Reducing stigma makes a real difference Notes 01 Why neurodiversity is important Introduction Why do we exclude some people from the conversation? Why should employers be more neuro-inclusive? Developing creative and innovative solutions and having more effective neuro-complementary teams What neurodiversity as a concept means to different people Notes 02 Labels: what do they mean? Introduction Getting the words right or wrong What is neurodiversity? Why do we like labels? Changing perceptions Changing labels over time So… is it a good thing or not to have a label? Notes Further reading 03 Categories and spiky profiles Introduction Categories Spiky profiles MAD abilities Time for change; time to change Notes 04 Eliminating kryptonite and enabling superheroes Introduction Eliminating kryptonite Enabling superheroes Note 05 Pre-employment: the lost demographics Introduction Why do some people miss out on getting support and where have they been? Who else gets missed in school and what’s the potential fall-out for some? What can we do to change this? What about universities? Some concluding thoughts Notes 06 Policies and procedures Introduction Putting in the policies and procedures What’s the key legislation? Putting something in place Performance appraisals How confident are you of your knowledge relating to neurodiversity and the actions you would take? Notes 07 How can employers attract neurodiverse talent in recruitment? Introduction Bidirectional communication strategy One of the simplest things you can start doing today! General recruitment guidelines Notes Further reading 08 Apprenticeships, internships, work placements and hiring schemes Introduction What to consider if setting up a neurodiversity placement or internship scheme Considering your selection process Onboarding – making the first day a good one In the placement Note 09 Interviews and assessments Introduction Who is the perfect candidate? Hiring diverse talent Assessments and skill tests The future of assessments How ‘game based’ assessments are widening the talent pool Notes 10 Making workplace adjustments Introduction What are workplace adjustments? Taking a person-centred approach Generic principles Notes 11 Induction and onboarding Introduction Induction Notes 12 Line management means having good conversations Introduction So where do we start in having a conversation and how do we get it right? Notes 13 Everyday meetings, conferences and seminars Introduction Conferences Meetings Notes 14 Champions, staff networks and communities Introduction Taking an all-inclusive approach How do we succeed in being an inclusive workplace? Setting up networks Building and engaging with communities Notes Further reading 15 Future workspaces and workplaces Introduction: So what is the future for workplaces? Inclusive environments and accessibility Big new world is not all about big business Jack of some trades and not master of all Notes 16 Next Steps! Inclusion, equity and diversity = belonging Introduction Nancy Doyle Atif Choudhury Alan Kriss Paul Sesay What have we learned? Notes Appendix What is ADHD? What is Autism Spectrum Disorder or Condition? What is dyslexia? What is dyscalculia? What is developmental coordination disorder? What is developmental language disorder? What are Tourette’s syndrome (TS) and Tic disorders? Notes Glossary Index