Creating a neuroinclusive workplace at SYSTRA – Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) play an important role in achieving this goal – giving colleagues the opportunity to network with like-minded people, support each other through challenges and drive positive change throughout the business. 

Our disability ERG is a shining example of the impact employee-driven groups can have in the workplace. This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’re celebrating their neurodiversity-focused achievements from 2025.

Community building 

Over 2025 the ERG has blossomed into a thriving community where colleagues regularly collaborate and support each other with a range of day-to-day tasks. By providing a place for neurodiverse and other disabled colleagues to talk through any problems they may be facing, the ERG has become an integral part of helping colleagues thrive.

The group have found success using different tools and ways of working, including art wellness sessions over lunch times to decompress midday and regular body-doubling sessions to create an environment for increased focus and deep thinking. 

Raising awareness and sharing information 

The group celebrated many successes over 2025 in raising awareness around neurodivergent conditions both within SYSTRA and to the wider industry. They published three podcast episodes: two focusing on navigating the workplace with ADHD and seeking diagnosis, and one insight into life as a parent and carer of a neurodivergent child.

During Neurodiversity Celebration Week in 2025, the group displayed posters throughout our offices highlighting a range of neurodivergent conditions to share colleague’s experiences on how these conditions can show up in the workplace.  

In-person collaboration day 

During Disability Pride Month, our disability ERG met in-person for a day of education, collaboration and community building. Members of the group, alongside HR and health and safety colleagues, held workshops to refine their objectives and develop a plan on how to achieve these. As a result of the collaboration day, they defined their three objectives as: 

• Objective 1: Access – The development of a disability focused support for the employee journey, to ensure all persons with disabilities are supported and considered throughout their time at SYSTRA.   

• Objective 2: Knowledge – Increasing awareness and highlighting the impacts of living with disabilities.   

• Objective 3: Psychological safety - Enhancing the culture that exists within SYSTRA to allow colleagues to feel safe in bringing their authentic self to work. 

Lou Garrick, Disability ERG Co-Lead and Geologist, said: 

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as an Employee Resource Group. The commitment from everyone involved has been inspiring as we work towards creating an even more inclusive environment for those with disabilities, hidden or visible. 

“It’s important to remember that even the smallest changes can make a big difference to everyone.”  

Learn more about equality, inclusion and diversity at SYSTRA.