An open letter to HR partners, EDI leaders, Senior Leaders and Champions of Neurodiversity.
I’m writing this letter to you because I know you’ve been doing really excellent work on neuro-inclusion lately and I wanted to say thank you.
I see you and your efforts. You’ve been running awareness events on different neurotypes. Training up staff and getting screenings and workplace needs assessments for your neurodivergent staff have been keeping Neurodiversity Specialists super busy.
You can definitely pat yourselves on the back for working on recruitment processes, too. AND you have been getting coaching booked in for neurodivergent employees to help them look after themselves and learn some good strategies to work better.
To be fair, you’ve done loads. I know this because I’m working with clients who are seeing and feeling the difference.
But I’ve got to say I’m a bit worried… because I also meet employees who have been struggling for a long time before they get to be assessed or coached. They didn’t know where to go and what to do to access a support process. It’s been like a maze for them; they were lost.
So, please – show off all the great work you’ve been doing. It’ll help neurodivergent colleagues find the right support when they need it.
Here’s some ideas of how and where you can communicate your support process so people will have plenty of opportunity to find it, in different places:
In job adverts
In job application forms
On an induction checklist
Training request forms
Probation period forms
Appraisal forms
Promotion documents
An external webpage
Awareness training
As you can see, it’s a good plan to signpost to your support process in as many places as you can so that your colleagues can find it at any and every point on their journey at your workplace.
You’re already championing neurodiversity at work so go on, be loud and proud about it; make that support visible so people can see it in all its ND-friendly glory.
Thank you for all you’ve done and in anticipation of your shouting loud.
Because your good job will help so many others do good jobs, too.
Warmest blog wishes to you,
Emma A
