Meeting the needs of Disabled/Neurodivergent Remote Workers: Developing a Line Manager’s toolkit

PURPOSE: Remote work offers disabled/ neurodivergent people the opportunity to gain and sustain employment. Because of their specific needs, this group of workers often require specialist support when temporally and spatially dispersed, to ensure that they are not overlooked and that appropriate adjustments are in place. The aim of this research was to develop a toolkit aimed at providing guidance for line managers to support this community of remote workers.
DESIGN: Twenty-two line-managers and disabled/ neurodivergent remote workers were interviewed to inform the toolkit design and content. Framework thematic analysis was employed to generate key themes and guidance.
RESULTS: Key themes were incorporated into the toolkit, including how to (i) create a supportive and inclusive remote working environment; (ii) encouraging this community of workers to gain and sustain employment through remote work accommodations; and (iii) give voice to these workers to express their needs and seek support without stigma.
LIMITATIONS: Data was self-report and collected on a small sample size. However, the toolkit was evaluated by key stakeholders, employee resource groups and other interested parties to ensure validity and applicability,
IMPLICATIONS: This toolkit is imperative in training and supporting line managers to have positive conversations with disabled/neurodivergent remote workers to help support their needs.