Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
The current research focuses on investigating the application, selection, and onboarding experiences of autistic individuals in the employment process. Utilizing an inductive qualitative approach, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with eight autistic participants, and thematic analysis was employed for data interpretation. The findings reveal that initiating the application process can be challenging due to difficulties in commitment. Additionally, some participants face social challenges during job interviews, although this is not a universal experience. Onboarding proves to be challenging for many due to the significant adjustments required in starting a new job, coupled with the high social demands. The study also addresses internalized prejudice among autistic individuals and its implications for both individuals and organizations. Furthermore, the importance of clarity throughout the hiring process is emphasized. The research includes a post-hoc analysis involving interviews with five employers to explore their perspectives on hiring neurodivergent employees. Limitations are acknowledged, and directions for future research are proposed.
