Eyebrow Raisers in May : news and podcast

Welcome to this week’s roundup of the hot topics and content we’ve been consuming.

Following – inclusive interviewing practices

People applying for jobs at John Lewis and Waitrose will now have access to interview questions in advance, in a drive to be more inclusive.

Traditional recruitment practices risk overlooking talented individuals with valuable skills. Having access to questions ahead of time could be particularly beneficial for people with a neurodiversity, who may find their performance at interview negatively impacted by nerves.

Lorna Bullett, Head of Talent Acquisition at John Lewis Partnership, commented: “Anyone who has ever recruited will know that there are sometimes candidates who would be capable of performing to a high standard in a role but don’t always give the best performance at an interview.”  

While sceptics fear revealing the questions in advance could lead to “outsourcing” of answers and remove authenticity from the interview process, others argue it doesn’t go far enough in individualising adjustments for neurodiverse applicants. Moreover, there are lots of other ways employers can help them feel at ease throughout the interview process. And with just 29% of adults with autism in employment in the UK, there is an urgent need to close this employment gap.

Overall, we recognise there is still a long way to go to achieving full inclusivity, but we welcome John Lewis Partnership’s move as a step in the right direction, and for putting inclusive hiring practices in the spotlight.

Are you aware that our organisation offers corporate training on neurodiversity – including best practices for inclusive hiring, support for neurodivergent individuals in the workplace, and assistance for parents affected by their children’s neurodiversity in their professional lives? Contact us at [email protected] to learn more.

Listening – changing the narrative of neurodiversity

We’ve subscribed to The Hidden 20%, a weekly podcast series hosted by entrepreneur Ben Branson. Ben was diagnosed with autism and ADHD as an adult. Through his conversations with a variety of guests, he aims to change perceptions of the 1 in 5 people who don’t fit the neurotypical bracket.

Series 1 comprises 17 episodes, with the series finale released last week (24th April). Episode 2 marks Game of Thrones actor Kit Harrington’s first ever podcast appearance, while in episode 10 we hear from teen model Lottie Moss about her mental health struggles. Other guests who feature may not be household names but are consistently high calibre. With the help of Ben’s open and gentle questioning, they share interesting perspectives on neurodiversity and the need to change the narrative .

Sonay, our co-founder, said: “As an adult with ADHD in a leadership position, the way the guests on this programme think has helped me feel seen and proud of the way my brain works. We are told to be quite humble and try very hard to fit in the societal norms. This podcast has allowed me to be authentic in who I am both professionally and personally.”
 

Credit: Image by Storyset on Freepik