8 - Organisational Influences on Success

Summary

Chapter 8 looks at the organisational aspects that can contribute to success in the workplace, thereby supporting the ideas for the more personal/individualised strategies discussed in chapters 5, 6 and 7. Chapter 8, therefore, explores ways in which managers and employers can provide an environment that mitigates some of the difficulties experienced by adult dyslexics, and which should enable individuals to demonstrate their strengths. The chapter includes a range of comments from our dyslexic contributors. However, when starting this book, we also asked for ideas/comments from other people who play a part in the success of a dyslexic person, such as assessors, coaches, and managers, as well as staff in personnel or human resource departments. Therefore, we have included some of their comments in this chapter also. The chapter focuses on four main areas: (i) the workplace ecology including managing dyslexia at work, (ii) compensatory resources, strategies and information technology, (iii) work-based adjustments, including extra time, and (iv) the employer’s responsibilities, which focuses on examples from the UK.