Take care

The BBC reports that staff have today started moving into their new HQ in central Cardiff. The news release ends "The new building will be thoroughly accessible for people with a range of neurodivergent conditions."

A checklist provided by ACAS suggests some design considerations, which I sure BBC Wales staff will be looking out for as they inspect their new surroundings...

Employers can reduce many of the distractions and obstacles in the workplace by:

• redesigning the workplace to take account of the different sensory needs of staff (for example, limiting the amount of information/bright artwork displayed on walls)
• putting up dividers in appropriate areas to block and reduce noise
• having dedicated quiet areas
• allowing staff to book meeting rooms for tasks that require a lot of concentration
• providing visible instructions next to office equipment and machinery, such as photocopiers
• allocating work areas with more natural light to staff that struggle with office lighting or allowing daylight lamps
• offering flexible working arrangements such as homeworking for part of the week or allowing staff to start earlier or finish later
• providing staff with organisers, lockers, cabinets and name labels to help them organise and retain their work and equipment
• regularly reminding staff to be mindful of their colleagues and keeping noise to a  minimum
• allowing employees (when appropriate) to use equipment such as noise cancelling headphones