70% of neurodiverse employees are currently suffering with mental health issues: Report

While mental health is gaining priority among employees, pushing employers to rethink their policies, a study by WTW found that 70% of neurodiverse employees currently suffer from mental health issues. This indicates the need for better support and understanding among workplace leaders.

The results show that only a quarter (25%) of neurodiverse employees feel financially secure and emotionally balanced, and only 36% feel they are in good physical health. Additionally, half of neurodiverse employees say they feel burned out by work, compared to just 38% of neurotypical employees who said the same.

Overall, 39% of neurodivergent employees want to see a greater emphasis on benefits that manage their emotional health, and 38% want to experience more flexibility in the workplace. However, the results show that only two in five UK companies (38%) have incorporated inclusion and diversity priorities into their employee benefits strategy, and only a quarter of employers (24%) plan to do so.

Commenting on the study, Lucie McGrath, WTW wellness expert, said: “As more employers look to embed their Inclusion and Diversity strategy within their organizational culture, there is a growing focus on the role of benefits in delivering inclusive care for employees. […] There are various levels of support and intervention that a company can engage with, such as reviewing specialist providers, using insights and benchmarking, and participating in workshops to develop an inclusive care strategy, but doing something is better than nothing.”

Although progress has been made in recent years, it is clear that there is still much

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