Aviva has launched a new neurodiversity pathway for group income protection customers as part of a wider suite of vocational rehabilitation and early intervention services.
The new pathway can provide workplace support to help employees with a neurodiverse condition thrive, and to help them and their employer identify and overcome any challenges.
It is estimated that one in seven people in the UK are neurodiverse, meaning that the way they learn information and process the world around them is different to others. Conditions include dyslexia, DCD (dyspraxia, dyscalculia, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cognitive functioning difficulties.
Aviva pointed out that the effect and impact of neurodiversity will vary from person to person.
A neurodiverse workforce can bring benefits to an organisation, but can also present some challenges for both the employee and their employer. Whilst some workplace tasks could be incredibly easy for a neurodivergent individual, other tasks could be very difficult.
Through the pathway employees can be referred to Aviva’s partner Lexxic, which specialises in providing tailored support to help neurodivergent employees to help them overcome challenges. The organisation also helps employers manage neurodiversity in their workplace and maximise on the talents of these employees.
Lexxic’s network of chartered and occupational psychologists can offer wide reaching support including screening assessments and the development of strategies and solutions to help neurodivergent individuals overcome any challenges.
Support is also offered by identifying suitable adjustments to a individual’s way of working or their environment, to help improve their experience, performance and comfort at work.
Lexxic can also provide coaching and training to employees and their colleagues to help them better understand neurodiverse conditions and how individuals can be supported.
This pathway is one of a number of condition-specific pathways that Aviva has introduced to support group income protection clients, which cover mental health, musculoskeletal, cancer and Covid pathways.
Last year at Aviva, a group of data scientists, HR representatives and neurodiverse employees worked together with the University of Cambridge’s Think Lab to help design a blueprint that would attract and support neurodiverse people starting in the Aviva Quantum data science practice.
Learnings from the blueprint have now been put into practice across all data science vacancies and Aviva’s standard recruitment programme is now designed with neuro-inclusivity at its heart.
Fran Bruce, MD Protection at Aviva, says: “Diversity and inclusion are important parts of a modern workplace, but from listening to our customers it is clear that not all employers understand how to truly get the best from their neurodivergent employees.
“Aviva’s neurodiversity pathway aims to not only support and empower neurodiverse individuals who may be struggling at work, but will also help employers and line managers to draw on the strengths within their neurodiverse staff and see them flourish in the workplace.”
