APRIL 2020HR TECH OUTLOOK8How Simple Tech can Make a Big Difference in HRI'm regularly asked how Auto Trader, a leading digital business and one of the UK's largest websites, uses technological advancements from AI to `big data' in our people function, and the answer is: with simplicity. I've found that it's the simpler applications that have the biggest impact on our people.We strive to welcome and retain a diverse workforce that is representative of our customers and the communities we serve, which we do through creating an employee experience that is inclusive for all. Diversity and inclusion is a strategic priority for our business and technology that offers endless opportunities and solutions to help us achieve our goals. Sometimes though, it's not about using the latest expensive tech, even if that might appeal to our inner tech geek. Instead it is about having a considerate and creative approach to explore the most effective solutions which could even be free. For instance, we learnt a lot during the process we went through to become the first business in the world to be given "Autism Friendly Company" award by the National Autistic Society. Technology played a key part in this achievement. We made changes throughout the business, from installing adjustable lighting in our meeting rooms and providing noise cancelling headphones to limit or reduce outside noise and assist with concentration in our open plan offices; to giving access to apps such as "Calm" to colleagues and visitors to use in our designated Quiet Room to ensure they can have some time away from environments that could potentially overload the senses. Neuro-diversity is one of the key focuses of our wider diversity and inclusion strategy, as 7 percent of our colleagues identify as neuro-diverse. One very popular software solution with our dyslexic colleagues is Read&Write, which helps them to become more effective with proof-reading and helps them understand data and information more quickly, including emails and other documents. We've had great feedback from colleagues who use this software, who say it has helped them become more independent, has boosted their confidence and increased their overall job satisfaction.Technology also makes our internal events more inclusive. For the past two years we have been working with Action on Hearing Loss to increase our awareness around hearing Christos Tsaprounis, Head of People & Culture, Auto Trader UKByIn MyOpinion
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