Companies prioritising neurodiversity in the workplace experience significant benefits, such as increased productivity, enhanced innovation, a positive work culture, and improved talent retention.
Imagine you are interviewing a graduate for a developer position. Their CV boasts top qualifications and skills, but as you start the interview, you notice that the candidate is fidgeting in their seat and they are avoiding eye contact. When you attempt small talk and routine interview questions, they speak in a monotone voice, although when speaking about work, they become more animated and engaging. After finishing the interview, you decide they just would need to be a better cultural fit for your organisation, even though their technical skills are excellent.
It seems like a straightforward decision, right? However, imagine if you knew that the candidate possessed a unique neurodiverse mindset, enabling them to concentrate deeply on the intricate tasks required for the position despite presenting challenges in social interactions. You have just missed out on a top graduate candidate.
An American research report stated that over fifty percent of the graduate class of 2023 (Generation Z) identify as neurodiverse, so embracing and understanding neurodiversity in the workplace is beneficial for any organisation's talent strategy.
What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity encompasses a range of genetic conditions that influence cognitive processes, learning abilities, social interactions, attention spans, sensory experiences, and information processing. According to research, neurodiverse people make up as much as twenty percent of the world’s population.
The concept of neurodiversity recognises that individuals have diverse ways of experiencing and engaging with the world. It emphasises that no singular "correct" way of thinking, learning, or behaving exists and that these neuro-differences should not be seen as shortcomings.
Types of neurodiversity
These are just a few examples of neurodiverse conditions:
- Asperger syndrome
- Developmental co-ordination differences
- Auditory processing conditions
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Dyspraxia
- Autism spectrum
- Dyslexia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Sensory integration struggles
The benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace
Hiring neurodiverse graduates brings immense value to an organisation through their unique skills, including innovative problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, strong analytics skills, reliability, and unwavering perseverance.
Research has shown that many neurodiverse graduates possess unique strengths in many areas.
#1 Processing information:
Researchers found that many neurodiverse employees have an information processing advantage and are better able to detect critical information, which may account for their high prevalence in IT positions. Autistic individuals have a remarkable ability to identify patterns and detect anomalies, such as in computer hacking. This unique skill set has contributed to the Australian Government Department of Defence's successful cybersecurity neurodiversity programme.
#2 Productivity and work quality:
According to JPMorgan Chase, individuals participating in their Autism at Work initiative demonstrate a higher level (ninety to one hundred and forty percent) of accuracy and productivity compared to their neurotypical colleagues.
#3 Sustained attention to detail:
Neurodiverse employees can possess a remarkable ability to maintain a high level of focus on intricate and repetitive tasks for extended periods.
#4 Talent retention:
The four largest American neurodiverse hiring programmes (SAP, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft and EY) have impressive retention rates of over ninety per cent of these hires, surpassing the average rates in their respective industries. This trait is crucial in today's business landscape, where companies are grappling with significant skills gaps, fierce competition in hiring, and declining employee retention rates.
#5 Dependability, motivation, engagement and peer integration:
Most employers surveyed by the Institute for Corporate Productivity highly rated employees with neurodiversity in all four areas of dependability, motivation, engagement and peer integration.
Companies that are currently embracing neurodiversity in the workplace
Some companies have a clear understanding of the benefits that neurodiversity in the workplace brings to their organisations and the value they add through their unique perspectives.
Many organisations in South Africa have established specialised hiring programmes aimed at recruiting neurodiverse candidates.
Some of these companies with neurodiverse hiring initiatives include:
How can employers embrace neurodiversity in the workplace when hiring neurodiverse graduates?
Neurodivergent employees can face a multitude of big obstacles in the workplace – stigmas that create an inhospitable work environment, social and communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities that make a typical workplace overwhelming, or executive functioning challenges that can hinder their organisation, time management, and productivity.
Research indicates that organisations that highly value diversity and inclusion, including neurodiversity, are more innovative and achieve better financial results. But what concrete steps can be taken to make the workplace more neurodiversity-friendly?
- Raise awareness amongst your employees to break down stigmas and stereotypes.
- Make accommodations during the interview process. Types of accommodations that can be made include more time to answer questions, quiet interview rooms, etc.
- Offer small adjustments to an employee's workspace to accommodate any sensory needs, such as:
- Sound sensitivity: Offer a quiet break space, communicate expected loud noises (like fire drills), and encourage the use of noise-cancelling headphones.
- Tactile: Allow modifications to the usual work uniform, if applicable.
- Movement: Allow the use of standing desks, allow extra movement breaks, and offer flexible seating (like yoga balls or sensory seat cushions).
- Use a clear communication style:
- Avoid sarcasm, euphemisms, and implied messages.
- Be concise with your verbal and written instructions for tasks.
- Ensure your neurodiverse employees are informed of any workplace etiquette, and don't assume someone is deliberately breaking the company policies or being rude.
- Try to give advance notice if plans or deadlines are changing and provide a reason for the change.
- Promote workplace flexibility, like work-from-home or hybrid work models.
- Educate managers on how to interact with and support neurodiverse co-workers (training, tutoring, peer support, job shadowing).
- Be kind, and be patient.
Employers can harness the distinct strengths of neurodiverse graduates in the workplace to boost their required skills, innovation, productivity, and problem-solving skills. As a result, the entire workforce can benefit from their diverse perspectives and skills.
Would you like advice for setting up a neurodiverse graduate programme, or merely advice on hiring the right graduate? Speak to us. RecruitAGraduate is your go-to expert in graduate hiring.
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