In the 2024 Buckland Review of Autism Employment, statistics revealed that only 3 in 10 autistic people in the UK are currently in employment. Despite this, evidence has shown that hiring autistic employees can be of massive value to employers, possessing skills ranging from creative problem solving to critical analysis.
As a late diagnosed autistic woman, I know how overwhelming the recruitment process can be in a world that doesn’t always understand us as we navigate challenges from outdated hiring practices to vague job descriptions. With April being National Autism Awareness Month, I wanted to highlight tips for autistic people as you enter the workplace.
Know your rights
Autism meets the legal definition of a disability or long-term health condition under the 2010 Equality Act. This protects individuals against discrimination in the workplace and prevents employers from rejecting individuals based on their disability. One protection includes reasonable adjustments being implemented which you are within your legal right to request.
What reasonable adjustments can I ask for?
As many will tell you, every autistic person is different with their own needs, and employers have a legal obligation to implement reasonable adjustments in order accommodate them. Common adjustments in the interview stage include:
- Questions being provided in advance
- Change of environment i.e. a quiet well-lit room
- A one-to-one interview instead of a group panel
- Rephrasing questions to be competency-based instead of hypothetical situations
- Extra time in the task (if applicable)
Common adjustments in the workplace include:
- Regular one-to-ones with your line manager
- Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs
- Regular breaks in the day
- Using speech-to-text and/or text-to-speech applications
- Tasks with clear and concise instructions avoiding figurative language
There are many more adjustments including ones related to sensory to social situations, so take your time to research them and decide which will benefit you. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for reasonable adjustments as it’s your employer’s responsibility to create a safe workspace where you can be your authentic self.
Disclosing your autism diagnosis
Disclosing your autism diagnosis to your employer isn’t a one fits all approach. Some can benefit from disclosing in the interview stage so the employer is immediately made aware, later on if a work issue arises where it may be relevant, or not at all. If you’re unsure, it’d be useful to research if they have a diversity, equality and inclusivity policy in place which includes disabled employees.
To draw from my experience, after sending several applications not disclosing my autism diagnosis, I included it in my University of Reading application after hearing positive word of mouth as a disability inclusive employer. This ended up benefitting me as I was able to request extra time in my interview task, giving me more time to process the information.
Navigating the workplace
As you settle into your new workplace, use your time to find a working style that fits you. For example, I can find it difficult organising my thoughts and get distracted jumping from one task to another if I’m working on multiple at once. After addressing this with work, I took the initiative to use my calendar and block periods of time devoted to one task, allowing room for any changes. This also helps me create a sense of routine, something many autistic people thrive with having.
One coping mechanism autistic people may do in work is ‘masking,’ where they supress their behaviours to appear neurotypical and avoid potential harassment from colleagues. While it may help autistic people get by in social situations, masking actually has long-term negative effects with self-esteem. It could even lead to autistic burnout, a state of severe exhaustion and loss of function.
If you’re concerned about your wellbeing at work, there are plenty of resources that support autistic people and keep them in employment, including the government’s Access to Work Scheme, the National Autistic Society’s employment page and Employment Autism.
Remember that every autistic person’s work and interview methods aren’t better or worse than a neurotypical person’s. They’re just different, and that’s OK.
If you’re an autistic student and would like further support, contact the Careers Team at careers@reading.ac.uk or book an appointment on MyJobsOnline.