Every business has the right to impose basic standards on employees. So long as company expectations do not violate federal law, businesses can have rules related to overall performance at work and the appearance of workers as well. Neurodivergent professionals may find it hard to meet the standards maintained by certain employers. In some cases, they may have experienced ableism or discrimination based on a disabling medical condition.
Maintaining a highly-professional standard for workers is commonplace. Employers want their workers to look and act in a manner that upholds the company’s reputation and branding. However, organizations may unfairly discriminate against certain employees and prospective employees with strict professionalism rules.
Some workers require flexibility
The standard for professionalism is often a calm, quiet and competent demeanor combined with a well-groomed appearance. Some workers who are capable of performing all necessary job functions may struggle to meet the expected standard of professionalism in various workplaces.
For example, neurodivergent workers often have frenetic energy that they need to manage in order to focus and do their jobs well. They may fidget, listen to music or otherwise engage in “stimming” behaviors.
The inability to remain visibly calm and collected could make a worker seem unprofessional. However, those very behaviors might be what allow them to do their jobs well. Companies might force workers to hide behaviors that others perceive as unusual. They may refuse to accommodate sensory needs, such as keeping workers away from loud spaces, bright lights or intolerable odors.
Autistic workers and other neurodivergent professionals, including people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may require certain accommodations to maintain gainful employment. They may be more reactive to certain environmental factors than other employees or may act in slightly different ways because of their unique neurology.
Their differences do not prevent them from doing the work well, as long as the company accommodates their needs. Making concessions regarding professionalism rules is one of several reasonable accommodations that can help neurodivergent professionals thrive in modern workspaces.
Those denied reasonable accommodations due to company professionalism standards may have experienced disability discrimination. Connecting professionalism standards with ableism could help frustrated neurodivergent workers push for more accommodating work arrangements.