U Can Employ™

With the holidays in full swing, it is important to consider the ways in which this season may affect individuals with autism, both inside and outside of the workplace. Autism self-advocate Lou Chandler shares a variety of ways in which this time of year can be stressful for autistic individuals. Explore her slide deck below to learn more about how this time of year can come with unexpected challenges for those with autism. It’s important to recognize that the holiday season can present additional challenges for employees with autism or those who care for individuals with autism. One key consideration is maintaining awareness of how changes in routine can impact them. When communicating with autistic employees, ensure expectations are clear regarding work schedules and plans surrounding their time off during the holidays. Start your journey with U Can Employ™(UCE) so that you can learn more ways in which you can better support your employees with autism throughout the year. Visit our website at ucanemploy.com for more information! https://lnkd.in/dHj6iqss

“In a recent BCG survey of roughly 28,000 employees across 16 countries, nearly a quarter said they have a disability or health condition that limits a major life activity. Yet most companies report that employees with disabilities comprise only 4%–7% of their workforce. That yawning gap raises several red flags for CEOs who aspire to lead a company where everyone has an equal chance of thriving and showing up to work energized to deliver their best”. As expressed in the article, most leaders want every employee to feel valued and supported. Yet, many are missing the mark for employees with disabilities. Many employees may fear discrimination, bias, or stigma when disclosing. This can impact levels of happiness, mental well-being, and attrition rates for employees with disabilities. U Can Employ™ (UCE) is committed to initiating internal transformations within businesses, while recognizing the increasing importance of diversity and inclusion in today’s workplaces. By helping to educate businesses on autism spectrum disorder(ASD), our team is able to help companies understand how to become autism inclusive employers so that employees feel accommodated and welcomed at their place of work. To find out more about how you can start your journey with UCE in 2025, reach out to us at ucanemploy.com/contact or email us at ucanemploy@elsforautism.org. Inclusion isn’t just a value—it’s a business strategy. CEOs, take strategic action to close the gap and create workplaces where everyone thrives. https://lnkd.in/erA9fwVz

“Employment accommodations not only benefit individuals with autism but also contribute to the success of the entire organization. By embracing these accommodations, employers can create a more diverse and inclusive workforce, tapping into the unique talents and perspectives that individuals with autism bring to the table. Furthermore, research has shown that organizations that prioritize inclusivity and provide employment accommodations experience improved job performance and increased employee satisfaction.” This article explores how autism and employment accommodations work together to better the workplace for individuals with autism. Read more to learn common challenges faced by individuals with autism, how accommodations support these individuals, and what types of accommodations can be used in the workplace. U Can Employ™ (UCE), powered by Els for Autism® serves as a guide for businesses, large and small, to embrace autism inclusion in their workforce. Our UCE team can help you dive deeper into what accommodations can be used in your specific workplace and ways in which your current and future employees can be better supported. Visit ucanemploy.com to learn more or to sign up today! https://lnkd.in/eZxhXE94

"Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance, and become the person they want to be” - Eric Parsloe, the Oxford School of Coaching and Mentoring. Mentoring and mentorship programs play a critical role in supporting and retaining individuals with autism by providing guidance, encouragement, and personalized support. Some benefits include: - Giving new employees insight on work culture. - Supporting mentee in navigating social nuances. - Helping to model and demonstrate skills needed for the job. - Creating an advocate for autistic mentees and increasing their confidence in the workplace. For more information on how your company can implement a mentorship program, visit us at ucanemploy.com or contact us at ucanemploy@elsforautism.org.

U Can Employ™ (UCE) is committed to initiating internal transformations within businesses, while recognizing the increasing importance of diversity and inclusion in today’s workplaces. The act of inclusion is creating a welcoming work environment and providing all employees with the tools and skills necessary to be successful. Some quick tips for creating a culture of inclusivity include: - Starting your diversity mission from the top-down. - Promoting inclusion and acceptance for all employees, including those with autism. This includes reviewing current workplace rules and policies and implementing a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination. - Providing staff with proper training and tools to better understand and support colleagues with differences. For more tips on how to become an inclusive workplace, visit us at ucanemploy.com so that you can begin talking with a UCE team member. We are your guide to becoming an autism inclusive employer!

Today’s consumers expect businesses to create an inclusive culture. For Gen Z and Millennials- which now compromise half of the U.S. population- this expectation affects their career and spending decisions more than any previous generation. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing refers to a set of standards that socially conscious investors use to screen their investments. By developing a more inclusive workforce and including autistic employees, your business can show today’s consumers, potential employees, and investors that you share their values through your investing in the social domain. With 2025 fast approaching, it is time for corporations and businesses to start considering the impact that they want to make in the next calendar year. To start, or continue, your businesses journey in ESG investing, visit ucanemploy.com and become a member of U Can Employ™(UCE) today!

"The holiday season is upon us once again along with all the joy and excitement it brings. The anticipation of being with family and friends warms our hearts like no other time of the year. The days are filled with planning meals and holiday parties that hold us in a euphoric state long after guests and relatives are gone. Importantly, certain adjustments must be considered for members of the family on the autism spectrum.” Thanksgiving can be challenging for individuals with autism for several reasons, mainly related to sensory, social, and environmental factors. This article explores five ways in which the holidays may be difficult for individuals with autism. With the holiday season beginning this week, it is important for colleagues, friends, and employers to be aware of the social, sensory, and environmental factors that may surround the holidays. It can be easy to forget the additional difficulties that this season may bring for employees with autism or those that are caregivers to those with autism. One example to consider is how changes in routine should be considered when talking with your autistic employees so that expectations are set for the work days surrounding their time off for the holidays. For more information on how you can become an autism inclusive employer, visit ucanemploy.com. Start your journey with us today, so that you can learn more ways in which you can better support your employees with autism. https://lnkd.in/eWVKNVbF

U Can Employ™ (UCE), powered by Els for Autism®, is committed to initiating internal transformations within businesses so that they can become autism inclusive employers. Through our Elite services, we will lead your company through our roadmap, ensuring that your business can successfully recruit, hire, onboard, and retain autistic employees. Your Elite membership comes with an environmental assessment of your company’s workplace environment. This is done to analyze the setting, physical conditions, and social features in which your employees perform. These factors can influence employee productivity, retention, attitude, cooperation, and health. Based on the assessment, our UCE consultants will make recommendations that could be made by your company to better accommodate employees with autism. These suggestions could include allowing headphones in loud workspaces, dimmer lighting in cubicles, etc. To begin your Elite membership, visit ucanemploy.com today!

"A common misconception about accommodations is that products and equipment that have been developed to assist individuals with disabilities with various activities, including those that are work related, are expensive, high-end electronics and technology. It is not uncommon for employers to ask about a high-cost device before considering low cost/low tech options or simple modifications that work just as well.” With 49.4% of accommodations costing nothing and most costing under 300, accommodations are now considered to be the bare minimum for practicing inclusion in a workplace. The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has a variety of low-cost accommodation examples for businesses and employees to explore. For a more detailed review of your company’s accommodation practices, visit ucanemploy.com to start a U Can Employ™(UCE) membership. UCE equips companies with essential tools and strategies for embedding autism inclusion into your company’s fabric. Our team can help you explore a variety of accommodations that can be used to better support individuals with autism in your workplace. https://lnkd.in/ex8PD2aN

“Up to 85% of autistic individuals with a college degree are unemployed or underemployed (Autism Society). This often is attributed to a variety of factors, including differences in communication and challenges in reading social cues and making eye contact, all of which are an integral part of the traditional job application and hiring process.” Research shows many benefits to employing individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including access to a large, untapped group of potential employees, with almost 5.4 million adults in America diagnosed with ASD. U Can Employ™(UCE), powered by Els for Autism, is a ground-breaking program that equips companies - large and small - with the essential tools and strategies for embedding autism inclusion into the company’s fabric, ensuring each business can recruit, hire, onboard, and retain autistic employees. Find out more about how you can become an autism inclusive employer at ucanemploy.com. https://lnkd.in/eh6xyzNA