Top companies who are engaging their Neurodivergence in 2021

I asked myself a simple question in June 2021.

Which companies, are you aware of, that are both active in the area of embracing their own neurodivergence and neurodivergent hiring?

So over the past month, I compiled a list (in no particular order) of neurodivergently engaged companies (using the hashtag #NDEngaged) who are both:

1. Actively engaged in ND hiring and embracing their own neurodivergence, and
2. Demonstrating recent activity with publications or collateral (e.g. video, articles, publications).

While I have included organizations like SAP, EY, IBM, Microsoft, I also discovered new organizations e.g. Westpac that are recently embracing neurodivergent hiring practices. I have also included industry analysts like Gartner who are becoming more proactive and vocal in this area.

In IBM, we embrace neurodivergents within the organization and also drive forward a hiring program to target neurodivergent professionals?with?a focus to embrace Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome, and other neurological differences as skills. Candidates in this list reflect this type of progressive engagement.

I should also make an apology. I work within IBM and obviously, I did identify a number of instances (that I know of) in different geographic areas of IBM where there is significant activity and engagement - so there may be a few repeat entries for IBM - but not many.

Additional Notes and Tips:

• This list is NOT in any particular order of ND engagement levels. It is in date order as to when I decided to publish the entries in Linkedin.
• This article is not an endorsement by myself or IBM of the enterprise listed from a hiring or capability perspective but rather reflects publically available information about the organization which I have discovered regarding neurodiversity.
• To quickly find a specific entry for any company (as listed in the banner above) just Ctrl+F and enter the company name.

And I expect this list will continue to grow as I am made aware of new organizations embracing their own neurodivergence - so I will be adding to it over the next few months as I find more examples. Feel free to add comments below if I have missed any significant enterprises - I can always add them to this list.

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#1.?Microsoft?is?#NDEngaged.

Here is a great website outlining the Microsoft ND hiring program and lists available jobs (at the bottom of the site).

And it comes with a cool ND Hiring Video by Microsoft:?https://lnkd.in/gpb7PRu

#2.?Ultranauts Inc?is?#NDEngaged.

I am personally impressed by it's ND engagement model, with 75% of it's staff being autistic - which demonstrates a leadership role in the larger ND community combined with ongoing engagement of Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies.

Kudos to Ultranauts.

#3.?AT&T?is?#NDEngaged.

AT&T has a long-term commitment to neurodivergent acceptance.

More about AT&T & ND:?https://lnkd.in/g-j4wNN

“As we take this recruiting program forward, our learnings from the LaunchAbility pilot will help us be methodical and strategic, so we can attract and retain neurodiverse people and also help them be successful long-term,” said?Rick Wilson, director of Diversity & Inclusion.?

“We’ve done our homework. We’ve taken time to learn what it means to create an inclusive workplace for people with autism and foster an appreciation for neurodiversity. Now we feel prepared to execute on these strategies.”

#4.?#IBM?is?#NDEngaged.

Yes IBM is continuing to progress our ND engagement globally.

? Here is our latest Update during IBM Neurodiversity Acceptance Month:?https://lnkd.in/guZdJrn

With over 2000 IBMers engaged in our ND community, and 70+ ND hirings completed in Australia, Brazil, Europe, UK & US with more pending 2021 ND hirings occurring in Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Belfast, UK, NA. Additional IBM countries considering ND hiring including India, Italy, Mexico, Phillipines and Spain. Lot's going on.

• ?? More ND@IBM Voices here:?https://lnkd.in/gUYu9N4
• ?? The history of Neurodiversity@IBM:?https://lnkd.in/gBWnFrY

#5.?IBM?and?Gartner?are?#NDEngaged.

Here is an open discussion led by Gartner's?Rob O’Donohue, ACC, PMP?regarding Neurodiversity hiring and using IBM Ballarat as a case study - with?Belinda Sheehan.

Part 1.

Part 2.

#6.?Westpac?is?#NDEngaged.

A large bank in Australia, Westpac continues with it's customised recruitment programs for Neurodivergents.

In 2020, instead of traditional interviews, candidates were assessed over three weeks through a series of workshops where hiring managers observed how they worked as part of a team, their job-readiness, motivation and participation.

Westpac's journey continues with?Sandra Casinader.

#7.?Dell Technologies?is?#NDEngaged.

The Dell Autism Hiring Program was launched with the intent to provide career readiness training and possible full-time career opportunities for neurodivergent job seekers.

More about the Program here:?https://lnkd.in/gyXgr7Z

"This program is also central to our values of being an inclusive organization that appreciates diversity and wins together. With our inspired and willing leaders and teams, this is going to be a great success."?Patrick Poljan, Global Executive Sponsor of the True Ability ERG and SVP, Global Audit and Transformation.

#8.?JPMorgan Chase & Co.?is?#NDEngaged.?

Anthony Pacilio, global head of Autism at Work, and?Jesse Collins, MSW?, a software & performance engineer, explain how the JP Morgan program is driving results, education and celebrating authenticity.

? More about JP Morgan ND program here:?https://lnkd.in/gTC4n3R

The JP Morgan Autism at Work programs applies to all open roles listed on their?careers site. Once you have applied to a role you just send an email to?[email protected]?with a copy of your resume, the job requisition number and the title of the position.

#9.?SAP?is?#NDEngaged.

Do I need to say more about SAP being a key leader in the engagement of Neurodivergents in the workforce.

? More about SAP Workforce inclusion here:?https://lnkd.in/dmqTzEr

#10.?Bank of America?is?#NDEngaged.

With a job that requires her to rethink processes and optimize the way people work with paper,?Carly Ott Fulgham?is “literally paid to think differently,” she said.?

While?Bank of America?has embraced neurodivergent people as part of its diversity and inclusion efforts for the past decade, its chief information security officer,?Craig Froelich, told Insider he’s put a micro-focus on the topic for the past two years.?

#11.?Walgreens?is?#NDEngaged.

In 2007, they opened a distribution center staffed nearly 40 percent by disabled employees. The program has been a model for others, including Procter & Gamble, Best Buy and Lowe’s.

Now more than 10% of Walgreens employees are disabled. Find out more here:?https://lnkd.in/gDcC5fQ

"Reflecting our founder Charles R. Walgreen's strong commitment to creating equal opportunity, Walgreens has always hired people with disabilities and striven to foster a fully inclusive work environment.?"

#12.?DXC Technology?is?#NDEngaged.

DXC has a long-term commitment to neurodivergent acceptance and employment with 100+ neurodiverse individuals employed within 11 teams across Australia.

DXC also supports other organizations wanting to engage in this path

Kudos to?Michael Fieldhouse?and?Seelan Nayagam?for your great work in this space.

#13.?#IBM?is?#NDEngaged.

And has been ND engaged since the 1880s. Meet Herman Hollerith and access "the emergence of a?#neurodivergent?IBM" as part of this provided video. A static was also available of the full video after listening to guidance from?#dyslexics.

Listen to?Tony Horton?our IBM ND Executive Sponsor, charting back to IBM's founders in the 1880s to understand why neurodiversity is now accepted globally - in this 6-minute video. Find out more re ND@IBM?https://ibm.biz/ND_2021.

Thank you to all 27 IBMers (ND and allies) from around the world who contributed to creating this video - and being part of this emergence.

#14.?EY?is?#NDEngaged.

"Accelerating talent and technology with the power of neurodiversity"

Find out more about EY's approach here:?https://lnkd.in/gUVVkSS

Reach out to?Hiren Shukla?and?Heather Tartaglia?from EY for further insight on their approach.

#15.?Salesforce?is?#NDEngaged.

"What if we could develop a creative approach, hiring and retaining those with neurodivergents for long-term employment? This is how Salesforce’s Autism@Work initiative got its start"

Reach out to?Judi Sohn?from Salesforce for further insight on their approach.

#16.?HSBC?is?#NDEngaged.

‘Don’t be afraid to talk about it.’

Neurodiverse HSBC employees share their experiences and the distinct skills they bring to the bank. Find out more about HSBC and ND here:?https://lnkd.in/dj-5Y5n

Ian Stuart, CEO, HSBC UK, said: "Neurodiversity is important to our business because it means we are bringing a spectrum of skills and talents to our thinking and decision-making, helping us to innovate, problem solve and ultimately serve our customers better."

#17.?#IBM?is?#NDEngaged.?

Belinda Sheehan?(and IBM) has completed the recruitment of more neurodivergent IBMers (8) into IBM Australia as part of ND@IBM during 2021.

Here is the prior video kicking off the hiring:?https://lnkd.in/gCZBFda

Thankyou Belinda for your global leadership in neurodiversity engagement. I created this video to quickly summarize the assessment process as ably supported by?Specialisterne Australia?. I cannot describe the professionalism of ALL the candidates whom I was lucky enough to meet and provide feedback on. A real pleasure.

#18.?#IBM?is?#NDEngaged.

Today?Doug Robinson?announced there will be internal training for IBMers in Australia - provided by @Specialisterne with?Nicholas Giustino?- for neurodiversity awareness. Why is this important?

Yesterday?Belinda Sheehan?announced (https://lnkd.in/gWVSbae) we are hiring 8 more neurodivergent IBMers. And we are following this up (with this training) by ensuring existing IBM employees in Australia are provided with an understanding of neurodiversity and are excited to welcome these individuals.

Actions like these reflect positively on an organization committed to the long-term success of these programs.

Thank you Doug for your support, Belinda for your hard work, and Nick for your professionalism.

#19.?Splunk?is?#NDEngaged.

Check out Splunk - an American technology company based in?San Francisco,?California - It is also engaged from a ND perspective.

? Find out more here:?https://lnkd.in/gCNAtwJ.

Splunk produces software for searching, monitoring, and analyzing?machine-generated data?via a Web-style interface.

#20.?Credit Suisse?is?#NDEngaged.

Listen to Credit Suisse leaders and neurodivergents discuss why this program is important. A powerful testimony.

Thanks to this exciting team:?Drew Shoemaker?Tracy Devault?Kenneth "Clark" Johnson,?Rebecca Alley, CSM?Michelle Hall?Adam Kellogg?Elfine Thomas

#21.?National Australia Bank - Nab?is?#NDEngaged.

Understand how NAB is becoming more neurodivergent with the help of?DXC Technology.

For more insight read NAB's Accessibility Action Plan for 2020-21?https://lnkd.in/d9UdEdC

“I am learning new things every week and I can easily?see and feel the value?that I provide contributing to critical systems and processes.” -?Joseph Bindley, NAB.

#22.?Telstra?is?#NDEngaged.

Telstra group executive for transformation and people?Alex Badenoch, said the company "is working with Specialisterne on a pilot program to recruit more people with autism. The telco received 160 applications for eight roles and expected to have the new starters join in April.". This process is now complete!!

Telstra (with?Specialisterne Australia?) focussed on hiring for the following Job roles - Accessibility Analyst - Product Management Specialist (UX/CX) - Network Software Engineer (Full Stack) - DevSecOps Engineer - Cloud FinOps Specialist - Cloud Platform Engineer Specialist - DevOps Engineer – Technical Specialist Platforms - Business Support Specialist. Going way beyond the typical jobs being offered.

This recruitment program was across FOUR Australian locations –?Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Canberra.

#23.?IBM?is?#NDEngaged.

Hear from IBM grads who joined our P-Tech Program. For more insight read:?https://lnkd.in/gui7MvS

In IBM A/NZ, "building an inclusive workforce is not just about attracting diverse talent, but also creating opportunities for under-represented communities. That’s why we are so proud of P-TECH, a partnership to equip students with hands on, practical skills, credentials and experiences for careers in STEM."

#22.?Freddie Mac?is?#NDEngaged.

Freddie Mac is an organization who helped pioneer neurodivergent hiring in North America. For more insight read:?https://lnkd.in/gGs_hCP . In 2012, Freddie Mac developed an autism internship as a 16-week on-site experiential program. "At Freddie Mac," says Gregory, "autism is seen as a difference and not a detriment."?

Freddie Mac hiring managers are now attending learning sessions to better understand those with neurodiversity and how best to work together and in April 2020, Freddie Mac officially kicked off the Neurodiversity at Work Program.?

#autistic?#autismatwork?#ibm?#diversityandinclusion?#Neurodivergent?#ND #30days_nd_ibm?#diversityatwork?#hiring?#technology #BeEqual?#inclusiveIBM?#specialisterne

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About the Author:?Andrew Williams?is a thought leader in the ND@IBM community and after 35 years in IBM as a consultant, leader, technician, and executive - still finds everything fascinating and loves to find new opportunities to connect with people.