Supporting neurodiverse employees on the road is essential to creating a truly inclusive work culture.
Diversity, equity and inclusion have been hot topics within the workplace for several years now. More and more organizations are finally understanding that diversity equals success. Plentiful data points to diverse teams being more innovative, profitable and engaged. Likewise, data shows that diverse teams have an easier time attracting and retaining talent. However, in all of these admirable initiatives, one group is frequently overlooked: neurodiverse employees.
The Value of Supporting Neurodiverse Employees While Traveling
As the World Economic Forum explains, neurodivergent individuals might include those with autism, ADHD or dyslexia. Just as is the case with all diverse teams, neuro-inclusive teams likewise exhibit greater innovation, higher employee retention rates and higher levels of teamwork.
That said, creating a neuro-inclusive work culture requires certain actions, particularly when it comes to business travel. As a 2024 Expedia report uncovered, the travel industry as a whole is lacking in overall inclusivity, even while underserved Travelers make up a huge portion of the traveling population.
Luckily, small changes are occurring to address this, and you can begin changing your travel policy as well, to ensure you’re supporting neurodiverse employees in every way possible.
Take Advantage of Newly Introduced Resources
It’s not all on you to ensure that neurodiverse employees have successful business trips. A range of travel providers have begun offering neurodiverse-focused resources that can make neurodiverse Travelers feel more comfortable.
For example, last year, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) added a sensory room inside its Harvey Milk Terminal. The room is designed to help neurodiverse Travelers escape the general hubbub and chaos of the airport, which can be particularly distressing to those sensitive to noise, crowds and lighting. SFO is not the first airport to add a sensory room, either. Airports in Seattle, Portland, Pittsburgh and Kansas City also have sensory rooms, as SF Gate reported. SFO’s sensory room is split into three separate spaces: a quiet area, an active area and a replica aircraft cabin.
Announced earlier this year, Emirates is on its way to becoming the first commercial Autism Certified Airline. The airline’s efforts include investing in cabin crew and ground staff training to better serve those with autism or sensory sensitivities. The airline is also adding neurodiverse sensory products to its in-flight offerings, as well as providing digital sensory guides that can clue neurodiverse Travelers in as to what they can expect when they arrive at their destination.
By researching what resources are available to your Travelers, both in their destination and while they’re on the road, you can go about supporting neurodiverse employees with greater ease.
Listen to Your Employees
In creating a truly inclusive travel policy, be sure that you’re listening to neurodiverse employees regarding their needs and preferences. They’ll know better than you what resources they’ll actually need while traveling. Make it easy for employees to voice these needs and provide feedback on your current travel policy and practices, anonymously if desired.
Communication is a two-way street, though. Ensure that you’re also communicating clearly and directly with all employees regarding travel policies and practices. Encourage employees to ask questions if they’re unsure of a particular guideline.
Take a Flexible Approach
When catering to neurodiverse employees’ needs, you may need to be more flexible than you might otherwise. For example, you may need to broaden your travel policy to make it possible for Travelers to use the transportation mode they’re most comfortable with. You may need to allow Travelers to book certain hotel rooms or certain train or plane seats. You may need to allow Travelers to book meals in advance while traveling.
Be flexible and look at these needs not as an imposition, but a step that will make your business trips more successful overall.
Use Technology to Make Travel Easier
You may want to implement travel tech tools that can allow Travelers a degree of autonomy. For some, being able to plan and manage their trips on their own (within, of course, the parameters of the travel policy) can ease worries and anxieties ahead of a trip.
One tool that you might consider using for this is Teal, a new global travel platform launched by JTB in partnership with Spotnana. Teal allows Travelers greater freedom in managing their business trips, while also allowing Travel Managers to properly keep an eye on travel policy adherence and similar information.
Invest in Resources That Will Help Every Traveler
There are likely resources that are available to your Travelers that you aren’t taking advantage of now, that could benefit your entire team, but most certainly any neurodivergent employees.
For example, the airport lounge is a great space for many to escape the noise and stimulation in a busy airport terminal. It’s a suitable place for neurodivergent Travelers to go while waiting for a flight, particularly in airports that do not have a sensory room just yet. However, any Traveler will appreciate access to a lounge, where they can either get some rest or get some work done. As such, consider investing in lounge passes for your teams.
Similarly, a business-class seat on a flight may be more comfortable for a neurodivergent employee, giving them room to spread out and a less-stimulating environment mid-flight. Any Traveler will likewise appreciate the more comfortable setting. If you currently only allow Travelers to book economy-class seats, this may be something to reconsider.
Likewise, while going through a chaotic security line can be very stressful for anyone, investing in TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, Global Entry and similar memberships for your traveling teams can mitigate any issues that arise.
Collaborate with a Travel Management Company That Can Help
Lastly, consider partnering with a Travel Management Company that understands the nuances of supporting neurodiverse employees, like JTB Business Travel. We can provide the resources you need to ensure every business trip is successful and productive. Get in touch today.
