Reasonable adjustments for employees

Proactive consideration of reasonable adjustments and universal design will help your disabled employees feel more included, improving their productivity and morale.

A lot of the specific reasonable adjustments autistic people may need are universal good practice

Getting it right for autistic staff can mean improving standards for everyone. However, there is a legal duty to make changes for disabled staff. Where wider good practice may be good business sense, it is not a legal requirement.

See our detailed guidance on supporting and making adjustments for job applicants and employees.

Latest

Autism National Strategy 2021-2026

The national autism strategy for autistic children, young people and adults: 2021 to 2026 has been published, including the aspiration for employment.
Guide for managers

Our guest blogger Mahlia gives her tips to managers on managing an autistic employee
Coping with social challenges

Workplace socialising doesn't suit everyone for a variety of reasons. Here Mahlia gives her personal view.
Michael's meaningful activities

Alexandra talks to us about supporting her son to choose and engage in meaningful activities

Reasonable adjustments and Covid

What is a reasonable adjustment, how do I know if what I’m asking for is reasonable? How is this affected by the Covid guidelines?
Safe spaces in the workplace

The canteen at work is my ‘safe place’ where I go when I’m stressed and need to chill out. But it’s now closed due to Covid. We all normally stay on site during normal working hours, can I ask to go to a café off site if I’m stressed?
Providing evidence of autism

Do I need to provide medical evidence to my employer that I am autistic if I want to ask for adjustments?
Need a formal diagnosis to qualify for adjustments

I have diagnosed myself with autism. Can I still ask a prospective employer for adjustments, even though I don't have a formal diagnosis?
Asking for interview adjustments

I was unsuccessful at interview and found out I could have asked to see the questions in advance. I really think this would have helped. Although I disclosed my autism and asked for the questions in writing in front of me while I answered, should they have made me aware of other adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments for interviews and assessments

It is good practice for a company to ask if you need any adjustments for an interview or other assessment process, but even if they don't, you can still ask for them.
Access to Work - getting financial support for reasonable adjustments

If the help you need at work is not covered by your employer making reasonable adjustments, you may be able to get financial or support help from the Access to Work scheme.
Reasonable adjustments for work

If you are autistic, your employer has to make sure that you aren’t substantially disadvantaged when doing your job. To be able to ask for reasonable adjustments, you have to have disclosed that you are autistic or have another physical or mental health condition. You can tell them that you are autistic and request reasonable adjustments at any time.
Employers’ responsibilities during recruitment

Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for specific job applicants when they know they are disabled, but attracting a diverse talent pool and building an inclusive workplace starts long before you even advertise a job.
When an employee or applicant tells you they are autistic

Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for their autistic or disabled employees and job candidates. But this duty may also apply, even if they have not been told about a disability.

I am an autistic person

Look here for guidance on finding and keeping work, from job search through to retirement.
I am an employer or work provider

Look here for information on how to recruit, manage and support an autistic or neurodiverse person
The case for employing autistic people
Benefits of buddying

Mahlia is a fan of having a buddy in employment settings. In this blog she gives her 5 reasons for why a buddy is so useful for autistic employees.
Our team

Biographies and affiliations of our charity board and Steering Group members.
General resources

Why do we do what we do: the benefits of a neurodiverse workplace, the opportunities and employers' legal duties
About us
Mission statement

Our mission is to support autistic people to have fulfilling and productive working relationships in inclusive and positive environments. We do this by: Enabling people on the autistic spectrum to find and be successful in suitable work Encouraging providers of work to employ autistic people and recognise the benefits they can bring to the workplace
Where to look for work opportunities

You can look for jobs in lots of different ways. It is important to look for multiple job opportunities as it’s unusual to succeed at your first attempt.
Disclosure - part 2

Mahlia shares her own experience and tips on disclosing her autism