Many students at University of the Built Environment work alongside their studies. This article explores reasonable adjustments in the context of the workplace.

Autism can affect every aspect of life, and this includes work. Everyone is unique, with their own strengths and challenges. Thinking about any adjustments you may need in the workplace can help you feel more comfortable and genuinely valued in the workplace.

Reasonable adjustments are changes employers must make for people who meet the legal definition of disability to support them in the workplace. Your entitlement to reasonable adjustments also applies if you are completing an internship, apprenticeship or other employment programme, and it applies in the recruitment phase when you are applying for a job, being interviewed or completing a job trial.

Reasonable adjustments are grouped into three types. In the workplace, reasonable adjustment changes can be made in:

• How the employer normally carries out business. This includes policies, routines, and expectations
• Physical features in the work environment
• Provision of auxiliary aids or services, for example a work mentor

You may wish to think about your day-to-day activities at work in the context of autism. Do you experience additional barriers in engaging in a task, or working in a certain environment? Or might it help you to work more effectively or comfortably if alternative options are considered? If so, there may be potential for reasonable adjustments there. For example:

Challenge: An autistic employee has sensory sensitivity difficulties around overhead heating and air conditioning in the office. They find the noise and sensory stimuli from this distracting, which makes it hard for them to concentrate and complete their work.

Possible adjustment: The employee may be offered a different space within the office, away from overhead heating and air conditioning vents. They may be permitted to use noise cancelling headphones or ear defenders to block out unwanted noise, or may be offered the option to work from an alternative location.

More information and examples of reasonable adjustments in the workplace can be found on the National Autistic Society website.

To explore the option of reasonable adjustments, you will need to have a conversation with your employer about autism. Whilst this may feel daunting, it can open the doors to support to help you to thrive at work. Information about how to talk to your employer about autism can be found on the National Autistic Society website.

• Consider talking to your employer about autism, if you haven’t already done so
• Think about other colleagues you may wish to share this information with. You don’t have to say ‘I’m autistic’ if you don’t want to. Instead, you can share key information so your colleagues can support you; for example ‘I find it difficult to concentrate in a noisy environment’ or ‘I prefer to receive written rather than verbal communication’
• Think about options for reasonable adjustments in your workplace, approaching your line manager or HR dept when you feel ready to discuss these
• Be clear with your requests for accommodations, so that your employer knows exactly what you need in order to be successful in the workplace
• Think about reasonable adjustments for interviews

Access to Work is a government grant scheme which supports disabled people in work. It can pay for support such as assistive software, a workplace mentor, equipment, and travel.

ACAS have a helpful guide on adjustments for neurodiversity and reasonable adjustments at work