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Sharnae and Anthony have excelled in the workplace, but many of their neurodiverse peers are overlooked
As corporate Australia looks for ways to innovate, many businesses have found clear advantages in hiring 'neurodiverse' staff.
Published 2 April 2022 6:33am
By Sarah Conte
Source: SBS News
Image: Anthony Ni and Sharnae Berresford are excelling in their respective workplaces.
By any measure, Anthony Ni has an impressive resume.
At just 23 he holds a degree in data analytics majoring in financial mathematics. He’s fluent in three languages, has tutored in maths and statistics and has a strong eye for detail.
He also happens to identify as autistic.
Anthony has a highly skilled job as a technology consultant, where he does software testing and analytics. It’s a role he’s embraced wholeheartedly.
“During COVID I was struggling to find work and to find a sense of belonging for myself, and then eventually I bumped into a person who was working at Auticon (an IT consulting firm employing adults on the autism spectrum) at that time, and he introduced me to this company,” he said.
“They will always give me something to learn and give me a sense of fulfilment.”
Auticon CEO Bodo Mann and Technology Consultant Anthony Ni hold an informal office meeting.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the unemployment rate for people with autism is over 34 per cent, more than three times the rate for people with a disability, and eight times the rate for people without. The participation rate is just 38 per cent.
More broadly, it’s estimated between 15 and 20 per cent of the population are in some way neurodiverse.
It's a term that covers a range of conditions including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Tourette Syndrome, among others.
Dr Miriam Moeller, a Senior Lecturer in International Business at the University of Queensland, puts it simply: "Neurodiversity in essence is the idea that humans simply don't come in a one-size-fits-all neurological package."
But workplaces are finding ways to embrace the opportunities provided by staff who think, and work differently, with companies including Microsoft, Woolworths, IBM and ANZ in recent years all appointing neurodiverse workers.
Telstra recently completed a trial of six candidates with autism. All were successfully recruited into roles in engineering, product management, analytics and business support.
CEO Andy Penn says it comes down to making sure they have the right workers for the job.
“Diversity and inclusion is incredibly important to us, " he said.
"If we want to attract the best talent and really have Telstra as the place you want to work we need to be very thoughtful about this.”
Telstra CEO Andy Penn at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE
“I feel neurodiversity is the next frontier in terms of diversity inclusion, and we can add a lot of value as simple as that.
“2022 is the year for corporate Australia, I think, and we just need a chance.”
Auticon’s successes are gaining recognition.
Neurodiversity in essence is the idea that humans simply don't come in a one size fits all neurological package.Dr Miriam Moeller, University of Queensland
One of its pilot programs recently won the Australian Computer Society’s Digital Disruptor award. It initially set out to use robotics to improve barcode scanning software for Woolworths. Not only did the program achieve this, it also ended up automating a large part of the scanning process.
Mr Mann says it’s these new perspectives that can give companies an edge.
“The holy grail of corporate success really is built around innovation. And if you break that down, it's really around the ability to think differently and come up with new ideas.”
Auticon CEO Bodo Mann
“Autistic people are intellectual, like how my slightly higher than average 140 IQ can help others to solve technical problems,” he said.
These kinds of results are echoed elsewhere.
US firm JP Morgan Chase found, during a pilot program, that employees with autism worked 48 per cent faster, and were 92 per cent more effective than workers without.
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Some workplaces are actively seeking staff that think differently
SBS News
21/03/202208:11
While neurodiversity has its challenges, Dr Moeller says the key is tapping into their corresponding strengths.
“An autistic person, despite perhaps having challenges interacting with others can be quite methodical, logical and have really incredible concentration skills," she said.
“Take a person with dyslexia. Despite experiencing challenges with reading and spelling to some degree, they can have highly developed reasoning skills or can be just exceptional problem solvers.
“People with ADHD can be highly creative. And you know, they may just have this ability to really think outside the box in a way that no-one else around them can.”
This is at a time where competition for talent in the workforce is strong. Australia’s unemployment rate currently sits at just four per cent. The last time it was that low was in 2008.
Australia's unemployment rate is currently sitting at 4%.
Many neurodiverse people have sensory processing issues, so a quieter environment with softer lighting can help. Informal chats might also be more comfortable than formal meetings or presentations.
The adjustments required depend greatly on the needs of each individual.
“It's absolutely critical to recognise that not every neurodivergent person is the same,” Dr Moeller says.
Woolworths Check Out Operator of the year Sharnae Berresford and her husband Jimmy at the launch of Omnia Fresh Food.
She recently won Woolworths' national prize for Check Out Operator of the Year.
“I love working at Woolworths and bringing the customers and helping them and giving them like a smile on their faces," she said.
“Having autism I quite like rules. I like certain ways to pack the groceries and all that kind of stuff.”
Woolworths recently opened a mini-supermarket, along with Fujitsu and recruiter Omnia Inclusive Employment Solutions on the NSW Central Coast, where neurodiverse people, and people with disabilities can undergo training in a controlled environment.
The store is not open to the public, but signals a clear intention from the supermarket giant to employ more neurodiverse workers in the years ahead.
Sharnae wants to continue working at Woolworths for a few more years, but eventually hopes to become a support worker.
“Having autism, I really understand people who have disabilities, and I just want to give so much to people with disabilities,” she said.
As for Anthony, his plans don’t end with a career in IT.
He also wants to help mentor the next cohort of talented people with autism.
“Helping our consultants fulfil their dreams, and live their lives as brilliantly as any other normal person.”
