Finding a More Inclusive Workplace: Engaging Those with Low and High Functioning Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder as a diagnosis is becoming more common than in past years. This results in a larger number of individuals attempting to enter the work force but facing challenges in the employment process. Organizations that hold social responsibility to high regards will be motivated to incorporate more ways to be inclusive. This study will examine specific jobs that would pair with lower and higher functioning individuals with ASD, alter the recruiting process to accommodate for a more inclusive environment, and focus on current employees to engage them in the change as well. This initiative will be an education intervention that will involve all employees in order to facilitate a more inclusive, welcoming environment. The current study will survey employees using the following: the employee engagement scale (Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá, & Bakker, 2002), job satisfaction scale (Spector, 1997), and levels of turnover intention scale (Allen, 2001). We will take a pre-initiative survey as well as a post-initiative survey to see whether our initiative is related to increases in job satisfaction and engagement in all employees, as well as a decrease in turnover intentions within the company