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| Neurodivergent workers fear for their jobs if required to RTO. (Photo by Christian Tarzi, Unsplash) |
Neurodivergent challenges can be more common among rural residents who often live where access to medical and mental care for chronic conditions can be more limited. In fact, research published by Florida State University said that “The prevalence of adults living with disabilities is significantly higher in rural areas compared to metropolitan areas.”
“About a fifth of U.S. adults self-identify as neurodivergent,” according to an article by Danielle Abril at The Washington Post. For these workers, being in the office can be challenging.
During Covid, the number of people who worked from home went from 9 million to 28 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Now, workers are being called back into the office.
“Some neurodivergent workers discovered success working remotely during the pandemic and don’t feel comfortable disclosing their diagnoses due to fear of and prior instances of discrimination,” wrote Abril.
Through interviews with neurodivergent workers, Abril found that in some cases, after disclosing their diagnosis, workers have been fired days later or told to get it under control. However, “Even before the pandemic, companies were required under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to offer accommodations, which might include adjustable work schedules, to people who disclosed their neurodivergence.”
In an interview with Abril, Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan said, “the company continues to believe that the advantages of being together … are significant.”
While working from home can create a more comfortable and productive environment for some workers, there is still a push by companies for employees to return to the office.
Kristyn Roth, chief marketing officer of the Autism Society of America, told Abril, “The job market right now is really competitive… If accommodations [like flexibility] are being cut and DEI services continue to be deprioritized, job opportunities become even more narrow for autistic or neurodiverse workers.”
During Covid, the number of people who worked from home went from 9 million to 28 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Now, workers are being called back into the office.
“Some neurodivergent workers discovered success working remotely during the pandemic and don’t feel comfortable disclosing their diagnoses due to fear of and prior instances of discrimination,” wrote Abril.
Through interviews with neurodivergent workers, Abril found that in some cases, after disclosing their diagnosis, workers have been fired days later or told to get it under control. However, “Even before the pandemic, companies were required under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) to offer accommodations, which might include adjustable work schedules, to people who disclosed their neurodivergence.”
In an interview with Abril, Amazon spokesperson Margaret Callahan said, “the company continues to believe that the advantages of being together … are significant.”
While working from home can create a more comfortable and productive environment for some workers, there is still a push by companies for employees to return to the office.
Kristyn Roth, chief marketing officer of the Autism Society of America, told Abril, “The job market right now is really competitive… If accommodations [like flexibility] are being cut and DEI services continue to be deprioritized, job opportunities become even more narrow for autistic or neurodiverse workers.”
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