Recruiting and Supporting staff with autism

Did you know that there are over 300,000 people of working age in the UK on the autistic spectrum, but only 15% are in full time work? Is your workplace ‘autism-friendly’? Would your managers know how to support staff who are on the autistic spectrum? TUC launches new guidance. 

Autism is a term covering a wide range of conditions that reflect neurological differences among people. It can cause social barriers which may affect the lives of people on the autistic spectrum at work. There are about 332,600 people of working age in the UK with autism. However, only 15 per cent of adults with autism are in full-time employment and only 9 per cent are in part-time work.

‘Autism in the workplace’, is a new guide launched by the TUC. It aims to inform union reps and workers of the facts around the condition, and to provide advice on how to support staff on the autistic spectrum to ensure they get the adjustments they may need – and are legally entitled to. The guide explains the difficulties people on the autistic spectrum can face at work, and suggests a number of changes that an employer can implement to make the workplace more ‘autism-friendly.’

To read the new guide, click here