The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has partnered with Aon and Willis Towers Watson to develop a guide that outlines ways to develop an inclusive working environment for people who rate at the higher end of the Autism Spectrum.
The guide identifies that almost 80% of adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are “unemployed” or “underemployed” and provides advice for employers on how to unlock the talent found within the cohort.
It also provides tips on how to recruit, manage, and continue to support adults with ASD in a way which removes typical barriers to success and allows them to achieve their full potential.
This includes specific information around working practices which meet specific needs, identifying certain environmental factors which need to be considered, and advice on effective communication techniques.
Examples
Tips in the guide include:
- Avoiding idioms, which require interpretation, such as “ballpark figure”;
- Do not use hypothetical of abstract questions;
- Recognising that body language does not always resemble conventional social norms;
- Enabling ability to work close to familiar and understanding colleagues; and
- Relaxed obligations to social commitments.
Sian Fisher, chief executive of the CII, said: “Hurdles which prevent people with disabilities from securing work, succeeding in work, or even having access to things often taken for granted such as affordable insurance premiums for travel, need to be found and replaced with the right culture of support.
“There is no shame in facing up to any current shortfall in meeting the needs of employees, particularly those with disabilities, as long as this is followed up by action to do better.
“Businesses cannot survive if they ignore the talent available within the entirety of our society, whether it is in their employment practices or within their potential customer pool.
“We want our profession, a mature and innovative market of ideas, to be held up as a standard for others to follow.”
