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Report shows employers are excluding neurodiverse candidates
Sparta Global – a leading hire-traindeploy company specialising in the provision of emerging business and technology talent – has released a report highlighting how neurodiverse people bring in-demand perspectives to technology but are not being supported and empowered across employment . Sparta Global ’ s 2023 EqualTech report has been curated from a survey of 500 senior and C-suite individuals working in organisations across almost every industry sector .
The digital skills gap in the UK continues to present significant challenges for UK employers and the wider economy . Sparta Global ’ s research indicates that when companies attract and retain neuroinclusive digital teams , they are more likely to gain and sustain a competitive advantage across areas such as computational thinking , observation , adaptability and intuition . Positively , 87 % of digital leaders surveyed in our research believe that neurodiversity will be a top priority for their companies in 2023 and 54 % stated that COVID-19 accelerated conversations around a commitment to neurodiversity .
In contradiction , Sparta Global ’ s research also shows awareness has not equalled change . The report notes that just 21 % of respondents work for businesses that tailor their recruitment practices to neurodivergent candidates . In turn , this means 79 % of organisations have taken no steps to accommodate those with neurodiverse characteristics .
“ I had no idea that we would receive such overwhelming and honest feedback ,” said David Rai , CEO , Sparta Global . “ With the UK Government reporting that we could face a shortage of 900,000 skilled
IT workers by next year , an empowered neurodiverse community presents perspectives and skills that could be transformative . Despite this , I was shocked to see how few businesses have practically adapted their hiring strategies to support neurodiverse applicants .”
Over three-quarters of neurodivergent workers ( 83 %) surveyed reported feeling worried , nervous and fearful about having conversations with their employer regarding their neurodiversity . Crucially , 59 % of respondents feel that there isn ’ t enough support available in their organisations and fear that disclosing their neurodiversity may have negative repercussions on their future within their companies .
Neurodivergent employees are a demographic in evolution . Of those surveyed who identified as neurodivergent , only 26 % were diagnosed during childhood , while 31 % were diagnosed as adults . A further 15 % told us that they are currently undergoing a diagnosis , while 28 % are planning to seek an assessment in the future .
21 % OF RESPONDENTS WORK FOR BUSINESSES THAT TAILOR THEIR RECRUITMENT PRACTICES TO NEURODIVERGENT CANDIDATES .
Rai added : “ I hope employers , educators and those outside of our established network , can glean as much insight , knowledge and practical advice from this
report as I have .”
In addition to delivering key insights across neurodiversity and technology , the Equal Tech Report also features contributions from Admiral , Schroders , Gallagher , ADHD Girls and more . x www . intelligentcxo . com
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