Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work

"The Canary Code is a groundbreaking framework for intersectional inclusion and belonging at work that embraces human cognitive, emotional, and neurobiological differences-neurodiversity. Despite their skills and work ethics, members of autistic, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, learning differences, and related communities face barriers to hiring and advancement. In the U.S., 30-40% of neurodivergent people and 85% of autistic college graduates struggle with unemployment. Yet, like canaries in the coal mine, they are impacted by issues that ultimately harm everyone. Lack of flexibility, transparency, and psychological safety exclude neurodivergent, disabled, and multiply marginalized talent-and leave most employees stressed and disengaged. This book helps CEOs,human resources and DEI leaders, managers, and consultants design neuroinclusive and thriving workplaces where everyone can do their best work. It draws on examples of pioneering organizations, human stories, academic research, and the author's decades of experience. Organizational psychologist and member of the autistic community, Ludmila N. Praslova, PhD., offers a comprehensive framework for building neuroinclusive workplaces. Embedding the 6 "Canary Code" principles across the talent cycle can unlockhuman thriving and productivity: Participation; Outcome focus; Flexibility; Organizational justice; Transparency; Valid Measurement. This unique book combines the lived autism experience with cutting-edge organizational thinking, academic rigor, and passionate, artful writing. Readers will experience organizational life through the eyes of neurodivergent individuals and find many tools for human-centric talent management and the inclusive future of work"--
“Exclusion robs people of opportunities, and it robs organizations of talent. In the long run, exclusionary systems are lose-lose.”How do we build win-win organizational systems?From a member of the Thinkers50 2024 Radar cohort of global management thinkers most likely to impact workplaces and the first person to have written for Harvard Business Review from an autistic perspective comes The Canary Code—a guide to win-win workplaces.Healthy systems that support talent most impacted by organizational ills—canaries in the coal mine—support everyone. Currently, despite their skills and work ethics, members of ADHD, autism, Tourette Syndrome, learning differences, and related communities face drastic barriers to hiring and advancement. In the U.S., 30-40% of neurodivergent people and 85% of autistic college graduates struggle with unemployment. Like canaries in the mine, they are impacted by issues that ultimately harm everyone. Lack of flexibility, transparency, and psychological safety excludes neurodivergent, disabled, and multiply marginalized talent—and leaves most employees stressed and disengaged.This unique book is a guide to change-making for CEOs, managers, HR leaders, and everyone who wants to contribute to building a more inclusive world.The authors’ over 25 years of experience spanning global diversity to neurodiversity leadership and extensive research on innovative practices of uniquely inclusive organizations around the world inform this books’:Explicitly intersectional approach to (neuro)inclusionHolistic understanding of humans and their social, cognitive, emotional, and physical differences.  Holistic approach to organizational talent practices, from creating job descriptions and recruiting to onboarding, performance management, and leadership development. A globally inclusive approach that centers, celebrates and invites multiple voices from the neurodivergent community. A “lead from where you are” approach to change-making. This groundbreaking book combines the lived experience with academic rigor, innovative thought leadership, and lively, accessible writing. To support different types of readers, academic, applied, and lived experience content is clearly identified, helping readers choose their own adventure.