The impact of WFH on disabled and neurodivergent people

Coventry University researcher tells MPs about the impact of remote working on disabled and neurodivergent people

Remote working is an overwhelmingly positive experience for many of those with disabilities and/or neurodivergence, according to a Coventry University professor who appeared before MPs this month.

Dr Christine Grant, associate professor at the university’s Center for Health and Community Research, has carried out extensive research into the impact of remote working on disabled and/or neurodivergent people and appeared before the Work and Pensions Select Committee.

The aim of the commission is to investigate how disabled people can be better supported to get into and stay in work, while assessing how effective the Government’s recent efforts have been in closing the disability employment gap.

The Remote4All project, launched by Dr Grant, involved a number of organisations, including NHSVodafone and neurobox and invited employees with disabilities and/or neurodivergence to share their remote working experiences.

The project concluded that a comprehensive government policy on telework is needed to help level the playing field for disabled and/or neurodivergent workers.

Addressing the committee, Dr. Grant explained that remote work amplifies the benefits for many disabled and/or neurodivergent workers by allowing them to be more comfortable, less fatigued, more productive and more able to control their environment.

However, such working arrangements had to be carefully thought out to avoid risks such as people working when they are weak, becoming socially isolated or losing motivation.

Dr Grant explained that technology has played a huge role in the expansion of remote working, but stressed the importance of talking to line managers to ensure that appropriate and supportive arrangements are in place for individuals.

Speaking to the committee, Dr Grant said: “Teleworking was overwhelmingly seen as a very positive accommodation for many in this group who said it improved their quality of life. Some of the practical things, saving time and money, the long commute, for some people have been eliminated or reduced, and this improvement in the quality of life in general has proven to be very important for this group.”

She added: “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, there needs to be manager support, there needs to be that conversation, professionals like occupational health need to be involved so you can help solve problems at an individual level.”

Dr Grant believes the introduction of a government policy on remote working was important as it would help provide guidance and set the direction of travel for organisations.

Speaking after the hearing, Dr Grant added: “It was a really interesting experience speaking before the committee. I think it’s really important to destigmatize telecommuting for this group of people because we’ve found it to be an incredibly positive experience for them in getting and keeping a job. My hope is that the Committee will buy into the idea of ​​developing a line manager toolkit for disabled and/or neurodiverse remote workers, which is the focus of my next funded project.”

To find out more about Dr Grant’s Remote4All project visit https://www.coventry.ac.uk/news/2022/remote4all/