Creating a diversity climate in the workplace: A mixed methods study into knowledge of autism and attitudes toward hiring autistic people in the United Kingdom

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Autistic individuals face challenges accessing employment, particularly as a result of limited knowledge and understanding of autism. OBJECTIVE: This mixed methods study aimed to measure levels of knowledge of autism and examine hiring attitudes in the workplace. METHODS: To determine knowledge of autism, N = 101 professionals in the United Kingdom responded to a survey that included the Autism Stigma & Knowledge Questionnaire (ASK-Q). Open-ended and closed-ended questions were used to examine hiring attitudes and particularly perceived barriers or drivers to employment for autistic candidates. Nine respondents took part in further semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Findings report adequate knowledge with a lack of stigma endorsement. Data also indicate a significant relationship between self-reported autism knowledge and the overall ASK-Q total. Autism knowledge was statistically significantly higher in participants who knew an autistic individual through work and where professionals or their companies had knowingly employed an autistic person. Qualitative data provide nuanced understanding about barriers and the possibilities for more inclusive autistic employment. CONCLUSION: A strong case was made for understanding the needs and strengths of individuals in order to generate a diversity climate in the workplace.