Autism Acceptance Week
2nd-8th April 2024 marks World Autism Acceptance Week. Senior Associate Employment Solicitor, Kate Lea, explains...
"Autism is a spectrum condition and affects people in different ways. Referred to as an ‘invisible disability’ it is rarely obvious and often misunderstood. Like all people autistic people have their own strengths and weaknesses. The condition can create significant challenges across all aspects of everyday life and particularly in employment.
People with autism often have difficulty engaging in social communication and interactions. Their ability to interpret verbal and non-verbal language can be impaired resulting in misunderstanding and them being incorrectly perceived as insensitive or abrupt.
Autistic people often struggle with change. They can find unpredictable behaviour and change stressful. They benefit from routine and often adopt repetitive behaviours to help manage their anxiety.
Common characteristics of Autism also include being highly focused. This means Autistic people often excel in their work. However, a propensity to hyper focus can sometimes lead to other aspects of their performance being neglected, leading to conflict and performance management.
Autistic people can also experience over or under sensitivity to and their work environment. Factors such as noise, temperature and light can be a source of considerable anxiety.
I have considerable experience advising and representing Autistic clients. They have shown themselves to be real assets to their employer when provided with an autism-friendly work environment. However, change and a failure to properly understand the needs of the autistic worker often leads to conflict and breaches of legislation implemented to support and prevent discrimination of disabled workers, including those with Autism.
Often a resolution can be found without recourse to litigation and with adjustments being made to provide a safe, autism-friendly work environment in which the worker can flourish and reach their true potential. Litigation is an option but, given the associated risks, costs, time and inevitably stress is often an option of last resort. I have had the pleasure of helping autistic clients secure favourable settlements to allow the parties a timely and dignified resolution to workplace disputes.
It is estimated that they are around 700,000 Autistic people in the UK. That is why raising awareness and acceptance of Autism is so very important and why I champion Autism Acceptance Week.
Whether you are an Autistic worker facing barriers and less favourable treatment in your work place or an Employer seeking advice in relation to understanding and complying with legal obligations then please do not hesitate to get in touch. It is our pleasure to help and support you."
Contact our experienced Employment Law Team on 0116 212 1000
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