An Australian-first toolkit to support neurodivergent employees will be rolled out through the Victorian Public Sector.
The Neurodiversity Employment Toolkit, developed by La Trobe University in partnership with the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC), is a resource for employers to learn about neurodiversity and recruit and support neurodivergent employees. It offers simple, practical steps that employers can take to create a neurodiversity-inclusive workplace.
Neurodivergent La Trobe researchers Dr Rebecca Flower and Ellen Richardson developed the toolkit in collaboration with a neurodiverse team at the VPSC. It was developed using peer-reviewed research and significant consultation with people with relevant lived and professional experience.
Victorian Public Sector Commissioner Brigid Monagle said the VPSC was delighted to publish the toolkit. "The public sector workforce benefits from having those with different experiences and perspectives work together," Commissioner Monagle said.
Dr Flower said neurodivergent people faced significant barriers to gaining and maintaining employment, and there were simple steps employers could take to reduce these barriers.
"There's a real need for this kind of resource," Dr Flower said. "Many employers have spoken to me about wanting to support neurodivergent employees and not knowing where to find information about how to do that.
"This resource includes information for employers about neurodiversity; tips for how to respond if someone shares their neurodivergent identity in the workplace; and a range of suggestions for making recruitment processes and working environments inclusive for neurodivergent employees."
Toolkit co-author Ellen Richardson said the resource was useful for neurodivergent employees who sought guidance on how to access support in the workplace.
"Neurodivergent employees may know in what areas they need support in, but may not be sure what changes could be made or how to ask for them," Ellen said.
The Neurodiversity Employment Toolkit was developed as a part of a larger project with the VPSC, focused on employment pathways for neurodivergent people into the Victorian Public Service.
Dr Flower said she hoped employers across the public sector would read the toolkit and start making small changes to support neurodivergent staff.
"Many neurodivergent people don't feel safe sharing their neurodivergent identity in the workplace for fear of stigma, discrimination or misunderstanding," Dr Flower said.
"The Neurodiversity Employment Toolkit includes simple steps employers can take, regardless of whether they know candidates or employees are neurodivergent.
"The tips in the toolkit are things that will help reduce barriers for neurodivergent employees, while benefitting everyone.
"For example, we suggest ways to improve the clarity of position descriptions, onboarding processes and team communication. These kinds of changes help all employees. The Neurodiversity Employment Toolkit is a publicly available and free resource hosted on the VPSC website and can be used by any employer who wants to create a neurodiversity-inclusive workplace.
Commissioner Monagle congratulated everyone who collaborated to make "such a clear, practical and effective resource". The project was funded by the VPSC, with additional support by La Trobe University project team members.
*The term neurodivergent is used to refer to people who are (using identity-first terms) Autistic, ADHD, Dyspraxic, Dyscalculic, Dysgraphic and Dyslexic.
