Sector guide
Office and professional services
Offices in accounting, administration, law, marketing and agencies can often adapt at little cost, because most tools are digital and hours can be flexible. Open-plan noise and unclear expectations are the most common barriers.
Roles that often work well
Administrative assistant, receptionist, data entry clerk, bookkeeping assistant, junior coordinator, archive assistant
Common barriers
- Open-plan noise and interruptions
- Unwritten expectations about email, meetings and tone
- Heavy reading and long screen time
Quick adjustments
- Noise-cancelling headphones or a quiet room
- Remote or hybrid working days
- Screen readers, magnifiers and dictation software
- Written summaries after meetings
Extra steps in your plan
Set up accessibility features before day one
Most computers and phones include screen readers, magnification, dictation and focus modes. Turn on what the person needs before they arrive.
Offer and prepare · Essential · About 1 hour
Share agendas before meetings and notes after
Agendas in advance and short written summaries help anyone who processes information differently, and improve meetings for the whole team.
Onboard · Recommended · 15 min
Offer flexible and hybrid working where possible
Flexibility on where and when work is done is one of the most effective and cheapest adjustments.
Retain and grow · Recommended · 15 min
Turn this into your own plan
Choose your type of business and who you are hiring, and get one checklist that tracks your progress, plus a tracker for each new hire's first six months.
This toolkit is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules on recruitment, adjustments and support schemes differ between countries, so check with your local employment service or an adviser.