Neuroinclusion at work guide published by CIPD
The CIPD have published a guide on neuroinclusion in the workplace, with some of the guidance reflecting the recommendations in the Buckland Review. Office design, creating a culture where people feel able to ask for help and raising awareness of diversity via training are all included in the recommendations. Neurodiversity interview training and alternative assessment methods and career paths are also covered. The guide can be found here.
Gender gap will not close until 2044 according to TUC
TUC analysis of the Office for National Statistics ("ONS") 2023 gender pay gap data has found that the gender pay gap will not close for another 20 years. The ONS data found the gender pay gap amongst all employees was 14.3%, down just 0.1% from 2022. That gives an average decrease of 0.7% a year, meaning it will take until 2044 for the gender pay gap to close, according to the TUC figures. The gap for full time employees in 2023 increased very slightly, up to 7.7% from 7.6% in 2022. The analysis also showed that due to the gender pay gap, the average woman worked for free until 21 February 2024 when compared to the average man.
Most employers on four-day week trial have continued with policy
A follow up report on 2022’s four-day week trial - Making it stick - the UK four day week pilot one year on - has found that 89% of businesses that were on the trial have continued with it, and 51% have made the four-day week permanent. The majority of businesses found the four-day week had a positive or very positive impact on their organisation, with positive impacts on staff being reported by 82%. The report also found that 58% of the public expects the four-day week to be the standard way of working by 2030.
Some employers shifting back to full time office attendance
A number of high profile employers including Boots, Nationwide and Deutsche Bank are reportedly moving away from hybrid working. However, a report by Grant Thornton has warned that requiring full time office attendance does jeopardise equality. Their figures show that the only businesses in which the percentage of women in senior management roles falls below global benchmarks, are those where workers are primarily office based. It also found that 50% of businesses headed by male CEOs are office based, whereas that figure drops to 40% when businesses are headed by a female CEO.
Autism employment review calls for changes to workplace culture
The outcome of the Buckland Review of Autism Employment has been published. Highlighting that only 3 in 10 autistic people are in work, despite the majority saying they would like to be, the report makes 19 recommendations for employers. This includes signing up to the Neurodiversity Employers Index, a framework designed to help employers recruit and support neurodivergent employees and become neurodiversity friendly employers. Other recommendations focus on training and creating an autistic friendly environment.
