Autistic workers are more productive working from home, but need be managed carefully to maintain mental health.
A new study from the Curtin Autism Research Group showed flexible working arrangements, including working from home, significantly benefited autistic employees, reducing anxiety, increasing productivity and improving overall well-being.
Lead researcher Elinda Lee, said a key finding was that working from home helped reduce sensory overload and social anxiety, common challenges in traditional office settings.
“Many autistic individuals struggle with the noise, lights and social interactions in the workplace and working from home allows them to control their environment and focus better,” Dr Lee said.
“However, our study also highlighted challenges, including social isolation and difficulties accessing managerial support remotely. A tendency to hyperfocus may also result in autistic employees working long hours, potentially affecting their work-life balance.”
Dr Lee said flexibility wasn’t just about working from home, it was also about ensuring autistic employees had the right support structures and resources to succeed.
“We found that having clear job duties and goals, support from managers and colleagues, flexible work guidelines and education about autism were helpful for enhancing work engagement and maintaining mental well-being when working flexibly.”
Read the full study: “At Home with My Sausage Dog”: Extending the Job Demands-Resources Model to Autistic Employees Working Flexibly.
