REWARD
It’s time to talk about neurodiversity
Cybill Watkins, group product legislation manager, Zellis Group, discusses neurodiversity, sharing personal experiences, while answering frequently asked questions N eurodiversity has been in the news so much lately and I felt like I wanted to shout out about how great neurodivergent people are, and how they benefit a payroll team.
of struggles, failures, instability in jobs and life and severe mental health issues. However, I finally got to being in a stable place with a successful job doing what I obsess over, allowing me to help others on their journey. I still live in fear, but I accept this won’t change. My CV is a local business directory – how many people have good experience, but you see they’ve had many jobs? Have you ever asked why, or just presumed they’re not dedicated, aren’t wanted by those employers and generally just assumed a negative view? I remember many years ago, a business said if a candidate had more than two or three jobs since leaving school, they wouldn’t even read the CV. There were many reasons why I left roles, but I can now attribute about 70-80% of the changes to my ADHD or autism. This is still valid today, but as I understand my conditions and traits, I’m now able to help my manager and business to support me so that this is my final career change. I have been in payroll for over 25 years. It was always something I felt came easily to me. I love and need deadlines: the law is the law, it fits with so many of my traits.
I also enjoyed being behind the scenes, the lack of social integration and not having to speak to strangers too often. While completing my qualifications, I met an amazing mentor who picked up my ability to learn, understand and translate legislation. Proudly, I would highlight any possible loopholes if the wording wasn’t explicit (or at least question it with arguments to support the different angle). I still stayed in mainstream payroll for years after, but it was very much the legislation aspect that kept me there. My conditions and fight As I said, I have ASD and ADHD. Some traits of ASD I possess are: ● sensory differences ● focussed interests ● social integration issues ● various reading, grammar and communication difficulties ● boundaries ● taking things literally ● not understanding jokes ● mental health issues ● inability to read body language. I’m an all or nothing type of person. I’m
Approximately 20% of the population is neurodiverse. Neurodivergent people can have one or more traits of at least one condition, which could include, but aren’t limited to: ● attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ● autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)
● tourettes ● dyslexia ● dyspraxia.
Hidden behind these conditions are so many mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, masking and stress, to name but a few. My life I was diagnosed at 45 as ADHD combined and ASD. Four years ago, I had very limited knowledge of autism and ADHD, but once it was suggested, I spent hours researching and roll on the lightbulb moment! My neurodivergent story is a life story
| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | September 2023 | Issue 93 38
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