Poll shows 8% of neurodivergent people have not disclosed their condition in work

by HRHQ Editorial Team 

Bank of Ireland has today launched its Neuroinclusion Strategy including a suite of policies and process improvements to support neurodivergent colleagues and candidates. In line with its ambition to be one the best places to work, Bank of Ireland aims to become one of the most neuroinclusive organisations in the country. 

Nationally representative research conducted by Red C revealed that, of those who identified as being neurodivergent and are working, just under half have not disclosed their condition to their employer (48%) and a similar percentage (45%) feel that their workplace is not inclusive*.

In the area of policies and practices, just under one in five of all people surveyed (19%) believe that their company’s policies and practices support neurodivergent people. The survey revealed that 9% of the population aged 18+ identify as neurodivergent, half of whom are diagnosed and the other half are self-assessed. This compares to a global average of approximately 15-20%.  It is widely understood that there is under-reporting of neurodivergent conditions in both the population and the workplace due to factors including lack of understanding and awareness as well as the risk of stigma.

Among those who identified as neurodivergent the most common conditions are Autism Spectrum Condition (34%), Attention Hyperactivity Disorder (34%), Dyslexia (18%) and Dyspraxia (8%).

Bank of Ireland aims to become one of the most neuroinclusive organisations in the country, and is introducing a range of policies and practice improvements to support neurodivergent colleagues and candidates in three key areas: Understanding, Infrastructure and Culture.

Bank of Ireland has partnered with the globally recognised organisation auticon, a specialist technology consulting business and social enterprise, that helps companies become a destination for neurodivergent talent.   Working with auticon and using its Neuroinclusion Maturity Assessment (NIMA) process, Bank of Ireland conducted an in-depth assessment of its policies, practices and employee experience.  The findings from this wide-ranging assessment helped to inform the actions the Bank is taking to become a more neuroinclusive workplace.