Autism Equality in the Workplace: Removing Barriers and Challenging Discrimination

by Janine Booth

Neurodiversity in the workplace can be a gift. Yet only 15% of adults with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) are in full-time employment. This book examines how the working environment can embrace autistic people in a positive way.

The author highlights common challenges in the workplace for people with ASC, such as discrimination and lack of communication or the right kind of support from managers and colleagues, and provides strategies for changing them. Setting out practical, reasonable adjustments such as a quiet room or avoiding disruption to work schedules, this book demonstrates how day to day changes in the workplace can make it more inclusive and productive for all employees.

Autism in the Workplace is intended for any person with an interest in changing working culture to ensure equality for autistic people. It is an essential resource for employers, managers, trade unionists, people with ASCs and their workmates and supporters.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

128 pages, Paperback

Published May 21, 2016

About the author

Marxist, trade unionist, socialist-feminist, author, poet, speaker, tutor, former RMT Executive member.

She was part of the ranting poetry movement in the 1980s, she performed poetry under the name The Big J.

Reviews

[alexander shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good starting place for someone wondering what rights they have as a worker with autism, and what "reasonable accommodations" can be considered. Very handy that this book refers to legislation not only in the UK but also the US and even Canada and Australia. Beyond the (admittedly vague and not really enforced) legislation at the government level though, it is still largely up to the workplace to decide if they will accommodate someone with autism or not.

This book looks at each step of the working process, from trying to find a job to the interview (a particularly unfair task for those with autism) to "coming out" with our diagnosis to asking for changes that will help. Sadly, the book is right in that supports for adults don't really exist, so if you face challenges at work due to your autism it often feels like nothing can be done about it because you have no one on your side.

While not something that can be instituted overnight simply due to how capitalism and the structure for hiring in the West is, the book also covers some changes that could be made in the hiring and workplace process that would be very in favor of those with autism and give them a better chance of both getting and keeping their jobs, without giving them preferential treatment over other workers—these changes would be just as beneficial to neurotypical people.

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am autistic and I work for a non-profit run by autistic people; part of our focus is on autistic employment. As part of my job I undertook a survey of local autistic adults about their employment experiences. I made for grim reading, even for me. This book provides a clear, direct explanation of the barriers to employment, what we, collectively need to do about it, and the relevant law.

I want to recommend this book to everyone I work with, every employer and manager from the Prime Minister on down, and to the Job Centre staff.

[Derek Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of how workplaces can, but need not, disable neuroatypical people. Good summaries of the law and how to use it to your advantage and, best of all, real case studies that bring it all to life. Brilliant.

[Pauline Aerens · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Eye-opening overview of the challenges people with autism face in the workplace. The combination of real-life stories and case studies gives you a better understanding of how society actually disables impaired people. Trade unions should read this book as a guide in order to fight for a workplace where embracing people with autism in a positive way is the norm."

[Briandooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relevant for those who want to understand the experiences of autistic people in the workplace.