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Remote Work Support Needs of Employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Poland: Perspectives of Individuals with Autism and Their Coworkers

Author

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  • Michał T. Tomczak

    (Faculty of Management and Economics, Digital Technologies Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland)

  • Elias Mpofu

    (Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
    School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia
    Educational Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa)

  • Nathan Hutson

    (Department of Public Administration, College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA)

Abstract

Background and Aims: With remote work becoming more common across industries, employees with autism may experience different work support needs from neurotypical peers. However, the specific remote work needs of this group of employees are underexplored in the literature. We aim to propose ways to assess workplace digital adaptation needs for individuals with autism and a framework for communicating these needs to employers. Methods: This qualitative study included interviews with 13 Polish business professionals, including coworkers and/or supervisors of employees with autism ( n = 9) and female employees with autism ( n = 4), about their remote work support needs. Participants responded to semi-structured interview questions identifying advantages and risk factors associated with remote work for this specific group of employees. Results: Participants reported advantages of remote work, such as limiting sensory overload and intensive interpersonal contacts, indirect interpersonal communications, flexible work hours, and eliminating the need to travel to work. Participants also reported challenges of remote work, such as reducing wanted or helpful social contacts, engaging in direct electronic communications, limiting opportunities to learn from other employees, and managing work–life balance. Conclusion: These findings suggest a need for an autism-inclusive digitalized remote work design customized to the unique needs of employees on the autism spectrum. Business managers would be key partners in the design of autism-inclusive digitalized remote work systems. Additional research is needed with larger and more diverse samples of employees with autism.

Suggested Citation

  • Michał T. Tomczak & Elias Mpofu & Nathan Hutson, 2022. "Remote Work Support Needs of Employees with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Poland: Perspectives of Individuals with Autism and Their Coworkers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10982-:d:905213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicholas Bloom & James Liang & John Roberts & Zhichun Jenny Ying, 2015. "Does Working from Home Work? Evidence from a Chinese Experiment," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 130(1), pages 165-218.
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    5. A.M. Dockery & Sherry Bawa, 2014. "Is Working from Home Good Work or Bad Work? Evidence from Australian Employees," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 17(2), pages 163-190.
    6. Michał T. Tomczak & Joanna Maria Szulc & Małgorzata Szczerska, 2021. "Inclusive Communication Model Supporting the Employment Cycle of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia Tegtmeier & Corinna Weber & Sabine Sommer & Anita Tisch & Sascha Wischniewski, 2022. "Criteria and Guidelines for Human-Centered Work Design in a Digitally Transformed World of Work: Findings from a Formal Consensus Process," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-31, November.
    2. Michał T. Tomczak & Paweł Ziemiański, 2023. "Autistic Employees’ Technology-Based Workplace Accommodation Preferences Survey—Preliminary Findings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-11, May.

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