Webinar recording & slides: Good work for autistic women: Insights, findings and practical recommendations for employers
A webinar recording and slides from an evidence-based session exploring what good work looks like for autistic women and how employers, HR professionals and line managers can better understand, support and empower autistic women in the workplace.
Background
In our latest future of work knowledge exchange, we bring insights on the employment experiences of an under-researched and underserved group: autistic women. The implications from this research focus on what good quality work means for autistic women and what employers can do to better support this group in the workplace. Ultimately, it is the practical application of this evidence that will make a real difference for autistic women at work.
Event details
As part of World Autism Acceptance Month 2026, IES hosted a webinar that presented new research co-produced by the IES and Stevie Barnes, current PhD student at UCL’s Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE). Drawing on lived-experience advisory groups and in-depth interviews with autistic women across different professions, the session highlights the challenges, opportunities and practical actions that can make a meaningful difference to autistic women’s experiences in the workplace and beyond. The session was designed not only to raise awareness but to equip attendees with practical strategies, tools and examples they can implement immediately within their organisation.
Topics covered:
- Background: autism, gender, diagnosis, support & workplace implications
- Using inclusive, participatory research methods
- Masking, wellbeing, sensory and social needs, stigma relating to autistic women
- Actionable recommendations for employers
- Real‑world lessons for leaders, HR and line managers
The event was chaired by Becci Newton, Director of Public Policy Research at the Institute for Employment Studies.