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Staff training and culture

Support your autistic staff

Respect individual needs by adapting service, communication, and pace to match each customer’s preferences and comfort levels.

Man and woman in the kitchen

Why this matters

 

Autistic people are skilled and valuable as employees. They do best when expectations are clear, and the workplace supports their needs. An inclusive workplace helps everyone feel welcome. It builds a diverse, loyal and motivated team.

Supporting your autistic staff is also a great way to show your business is working hard to be inclusive. Lead with a focus on inclusion, make adjustments easy and share information clearly. Aim to be consistent and reliable.

I'm a big believer we shouldn't be employing autistic people until we can actually start supporting the ones that we actually do employ."

Community Member

What best practice looks like:

 
  • A tidy and well organised environment
  • Clear tasks and reporting lines
  • Contracts written in plain English
  • Flexible work options where possible
  • Complete onboarding with follow up support
  • Coaching or mentoring
  • Training that is easy to access and follow
  • Regular check-ins with their manager
  • Respect for sensory and communication needs 
  • Support for tools like earplugs, or task management software
  • Allowing movement to support focus
  • Offering adjustments at onboarding with examples
  • Making the adjustment process easy and quick
  • Information shared in different ways, like written, verbal or graphic
  • Consistent work routines. Give early notice when changes happen.
  • Planned breaks to rest and reset
  • A workplace culture that includes everyone
  • Including autistic staff in decisions

Example:

A supermarket pays new staff to have an orientation tour. They are guided through the store and told about expectations. They are shown how to sign in for the day, about the uniform, their entitlements, and how to request support. They receive an information pack with all the details, along with a map for future reference. A peer buddy is matched with each new staff member to provide guidance and address any issues. Regular check-ins with their manager help build understanding and trust. This makes it easier to plan work together that meets both job and staff needs.