Three in five employers say they would be confident supporting neurodivergent employees, according to Aviva’s Working Lives report 2024.
The report which launched in early September found 64% of employers surveyed said they would be confident supporting neurodivergent employees.
Just over two in five (43%) of these employers have increased the support they provide for neurodivergent employees over the past three years.
The most common enhancements focus on improving communication between the employee and their line manager.
A third (33%) of those employers who increased the support they provide said they now hold regular meetings with their neurodivergent employees where they discuss and agree workplace adjustments.
The research also highlighted that a similar number of employers (29%) are documenting their discussions and regularly reviewing the effectiveness of any adjustments that they have made.
A third (33%) of those employers who increased the support they provide say they have introduced employee support groups, made up of like-minded people. And just over one in five (21%), now offer a buddy or mentor to neurodivergent employees.
More than a quarter of these employers (28%) have introduced support from specialist organisations through benefits such as private health insurance and group income protection.
A similar number (27%) have introduced employee training sessions. Just over one in five (21%) offer line manager training.
Around half of employers (53%) surveyed agreed that they want to support neurodivergent employees, but were concerned that they would say the wrong thing.
And around three in five employers (65%) and employees (61%) surveyed agreed that more awareness is needed in supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace.
Nearly a fifth (18%) of these employers and a similar number of employees (17%) said that there was still a stigma associated with neurodivergence.
A similar number of employers (19%) and employees (16%) said that people are afraid of telling colleagues that they’re neurodivergent.
Over three in five (63%) employers and around half (48%) of employees agreed that positive steps have been made in relation to supporting neurodivergent employees in the workplace, but that there was more that can be done.
Dr Subashini M, medical director at Aviva said: “While there’s still some way to go, it’s positive to see that there’s an appetite from employers and employees to increase their knowledge of neurodivergent conditions.
“This is a trend we’re also seeing through impressive engagement with the support Aviva offers through its group income protection and private health insurance policies.
“Everyone is different, with their own unique traits and needs. So, it’s reassuring to see that employers are having regular conversations with their employees.
“By understanding individual circumstances and expectations, employers and employees can work together to tailor support and introduce adjustments to help neurodivergent individuals flourish at work.”