Social challenges in the workplace - Author-Accepted Version JADD.pdf (318.17 kB)
Workplace Social Challenges Experienced by Employees on the Autism Spectrum: An International Exploratory Study Examining Employee and Supervisor Perspectives
journal contribution
posted on 2020-10-15, 01:32 authored by Simon BurySimon Bury, Rebecca FlowerRebecca Flower, Rosslynn Zulla, David B Nicholas, Darren HedleyDarren HedleySocial challenges represent a significantly under-researched area when
it comes to the poor employment outcomes in autism. In this exploratory
study employees on the autism spectrum (N = 29) and supervisors (N = 15),
representing seven continents, provided 128 written examples of
workplace-based social challenges, their interpretation, consequences
and resolution. Content analysis revealed that types of social
challenges were individually oriented or associated with the
work-environment. Social challenges were frequently attributed to
internal or personal factors with direct consequences for the employee.
Resolutions were more frequently targeted toward the individual than the
workplace, and hindered employees’ experience of work. This
international study represents a first look at the types of social
challenges that impact equitable work participation of autistic people.
Funding
La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health Income Growth Grant Scheme
La Trobe University Building Health Communities Research Focus Area Collaboration Ready Grant #2000004415
Vocational Abilities Innovation Lab at the University of Calgary received funding from the Sinneave Family Foundation
History
School
- School of Psychology and Public Health