The guide was started to help managers recruit, onboard, and retain more neurodiverse teams in hospitality.
It is a free resource, available on the LTC website, and was kickstarted following feedback from operators and LTC beneficiaries who similarly expressed a need for more support in this area.
The guide has been tailored to the specific needs of the hospitality sector, making it a “helpful and invaluable tool” for those working within the sector, the LTC said.
It provides managers with step-by-step sections to work through and provides an outline of aspects to consider at each stage of the employee journey.
The LTC believed certain aspects could make a difference to employee wellbeing and the overall productivity of a workplace.
Overall benefits
By offering flexible work patterns, investing time in tailoring roles, and fostering an inclusive culture, businesses could attract and then retain a diversified talent pool.
The guide outlines the overall benefits of identifying team members' strengths.
An example of this could be those who are better at problem-solving or spotting new opportunities and finding innovative solutions, as well as those who may prefer structured and predictable tasks.
The LTC also explained the benefits of building varied teams with different preferences and varying skill sets.
Research from Deloitte showed teams with neurodivergent professionals in certain roles in the workplace were 30% more productive than those without.
The LTC worked with beneficiaries and supporters alike in compiling the guide, including manager of the Cabbage Patch, in Twickenham, Stuart Green.
Green said the team has worked with more than 300 people with neurodivergent thinking at the Cabbage Patch and, with the right support they have seen team members thrive, fully engaged with a passion for their work.
LTC CEO Chris Welham said the charity was on a mission to aid the licensed trade in embracing difference in the workforce, with goals to positively address the barriers that exclude many candidates from entering the workplace, and support performance.
Good for business
He stated: “Licensed trade customers come from all walks of life.
“Having a diverse team reflects the rich variety of individuals in a locality and means employees can connect with customers in unique ways.
“Understanding individual strengths and skill sets also creates efficiencies”.
Welham explained in 2025, the sector will need not only creativity, but adaptability, and problem-solving skills. He added that a neurodiverse team will have these skills in abundance.
He continued: “By being inclusive and working together, we can create the memorable, customer-centric experiences that our sector is known for – and that is good for business”
