From Policy to Practice: Operationalising Neuroinclusive Hiring
Neurodiversity is no longer a niche consideration for employers. An estimated 15–20% of the workforce is neurodivergent—yet many hiring processes remain structurally biased toward neurotypical communication and processing styles. While more organisations are beginning to include neurodiversity in their inclusion statements, the practical steps required to make recruitment genuinely accessible are often overlooked.
To address this gap, Welcome Brain Consulting has developed the Welcome to Work Pledge—a free initiative designed to help employers translate policy into practice. Grounded in both lived experience and organisational insight, the pledge offers a comprehensive, no-cost framework for creating equitable recruitment systems that work for all minds.
The Business Imperative
There is a strong commercial rationale for neuroinclusive hiring. Neurodiverse teams are shown to be more productive—by as much as 30%—and more innovative than homogenous ones. At the same time, recruitment and retention issues cost UK businesses an average of £30,614 per employee replaced.
However, a 2025 survey by Welcome Brain reveals that systemic barriers persist. Among self-identified neurodivergent respondents:
80% had chosen not to apply for a job because the description felt overwhelming or unwelcoming
Only 20% of those who requested adjustments actually received them
50% had experienced difficulty progressing past automated screening
100% reported struggling in interviews due to factors like abstract questions, pressure, or sensory triggers
These statistics illustrate a clear disconnect between inclusion as a value and inclusion as an operational reality.
Where Policies Fall Short
Despite positive intentions, many recruitment systems are still optimised for fluency, speed, and conventional career paths. Common barriers include:
Job descriptions filled with jargon or inflated criteria
Online application systems with rigid formats and unclear guidance
Panel interviews with abstract questions and no prior disclosure of format
AI filters that screen out non-linear CVs or applicants with career gaps
Without reform, these practices exclude precisely the candidates organisations claim to value.
Moving Toward Inclusive Practice
The Welcome to Work Pledge breaks down neuroinclusive hiring into three manageable commitments:
1. Job Postings
Use accessible language focused on essential—not idealised—criteria
Distinguish clearly between essential and preferred skills
Include a visible statement welcoming neurodivergent applicants
Offer alternative formats, such as structured Q&A or audio/video submissions
2. Candidate Selection
Avoid bias-prone automated screening tools
Accept portfolios, case studies, and practical tasks as valid alternatives to CVs
Accommodate different demonstration styles and timelines
3. Interviews
Share questions in advance to support processing and preparation
Offer flexible formats: written responses, task-based interviews, or asynchronous recordings
Train interviewers to assess substance over style—and to understand common neurodivergent communication patterns
Free Implementation Resources
Organisations that sign the Welcome to Work Pledge gain access to a full implementation toolkit, including:
A neuroinclusive hiring checklist
Job posting language guides
Interview best practices
Sample communications templates
Guidance on alternative evaluation methods
Social media assets and internal training aids
A self-assessment tool for measuring progress
These tools are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing HR systems and are suitable for organisations of all sizes and sectors.
Inclusion as a System, Not a Slogan
Inclusive hiring is not about lowering standards. It is about removing unnecessary and irrelevant barriers—so that individuals with the right skills, experience, and potential can fully participate in the process.
Inclusion should not rely on disclosure. It should be built into the system. A candidate should not have to request fairness—it should already be there.
To sign the Welcome to Work Pledge and access the free toolkit, visit welcomebrain.com/welcometowork or get in touch with us today.
