FOOTT People & Culture Manager, Caitlin Baker, recently joined a panel at “Future-Ready Workplaces: Embracing Neurodiversity in Regional Victoria”, hosted by Headspace Shepparton and Two Point Zero Australia.
The event was a chance for local employers, neurodivergent speakers, and support services to hear and talk about how regional workplaces can better support and include neurodivergent people.
Caitlin spoke about FOOTT’s focus on trying to find the opportunity in each role to bring out the best in the people doing it.
“We don’t expect everyone to work the same way,” Caitlin said.
“Our goal is to understand how someone works best, then set them up to succeed.”
That might mean adjusting how tasks are explained or even making routines more predictable.
“It doesn’t always take major change,” Caitlin said.
“Sometimes it’s just about noticing what someone needs to do their job well and being willing to support that.”
The event was an opportunity to hear directly from neurodivergent people, to share ideas with other employers working through similar situations.
“It’s encouraging to see how many workplaces are starting to think differently,” Caitlin said.
“Everyone’s trying to do better, and it helps to learn from each other.”