Our charity has launched a new award to help organisations create more inclusive, understanding and supportive workplaces for autistic employees.

The Autism Inclusive Employer Award aims to increase autism understanding, support the needs of autistic staff and enable more autistic people to feel comfortable at work. 

Only 30% of autistic people are in any form of employment. Our research found that half of unemployed autistic people (50%) said support, understanding and acceptance would help them into employment, but 68% of employers worry about getting support for an autistic employee wrong.

The award focuses on key areas including:

• Enabling more autistic people to find and stay in work
• Equipping businesses with the skills and knowledge to support autistic people at work.
• Implementing reasonable adjustments that benefit autistic people, such as flexible working patterns.
• Cultivating a welcoming atmosphere that supports autistic people to find and stay in work.
• Promoting acceptance to support autistic colleagues to disclose their diagnosis.
• Valuing diverse perspectives to create a dynamic workforce.

With more than 60 years of experience working alongside autistic people, the National Autistic Society’s Autism Inclusive Employer Award will provide strategies tailored to each organisation’s needs and size.

Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects at the National Autistic Society, said: “We are thrilled to announce our Autism Inclusive Employer Award, which is dedicated to acknowledging and supporting organisations that are working towards creating autism-inclusive workplaces. We believe that every autistic person deserves the opportunity to pursue a career aligned with their skills and aspirations, and this new award will support organisations to help achieve this.”

Further Information

• Find out more about the Autism Inclusive Employer Award.
• Read our advice and guidance on employment.
• Read our response to the Buckland Review of Autism Employment.
• Read more about our employment work.