Only 7% of Russian companies have employed people with autism
Only 7 per cent of Russian companies have employed people with autism, according to research
15.07.2026
Article published on the ASI website
Nearly half of all employers have not hired people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) so far this year, according to a survey conducted by hh.ru and the Naked Hearts Foundation, the results of which have been reviewed by Izvestia.
The research showed that 58% of Russian organisations have experience in employing people with disabilities. Last year, 12% of companies considered disabled applicants for every vacancy, while a further 39% only did so for specific roles.
Experts say that the issue of employing people with ASD will become increasingly pressing, estimating that the number of able-bodied Russians with autism will have exceeded 873,000 by 2030. However, 48% of employers have not considered them for vacancies so far this year, a further 13% are undecided, with only 3% open to the idea.
“Many people with ASD are able and willing to work, which is very important, not only for their own physical and mental wellbeing, but also for their families. Inclusive recruitment can bring real benefits to business and society as a whole”, said Inna Monova, Director of the Naked Hearts Foundation.
Although approximately 30% of employers consider themselves to be knowledgeable about the effects of autism, 68% admitted they have never interviewed applicants with ASD when recruiting.
Dmitry Markelov, Director of Government Relations and Corporate Governance at hh.ru, said that employing people with autism remains a new and poorly-understood area for most companies. He also pointed out that 85% of organisations have never provided any training for professionals and managers to work with employees with this type of disability.
“Only 13% of employers are prepared to revisit the format of interviews and tests for ASD applicants, while 11% are willing to modify working conditions, including flexible working hours, having clearly defined guidelines and reduced sensory overload. Forty-two per cent of companies are not yet ready to change their recruitment procedures, while half have no plans to adapt their workplace environment”, said Markelov.
Employers cited a lack of suitable vacancies, little information about ASD and concerns among their workforce as the main barriers to inclusive recruitment.
When making an employment decision, firms are most often concerned about an ASD sufferer’s potential communication difficulties with others, having to change internal processes and the likelihood of a negative reaction among customers and partners.
According to the study, the most suitable roles for ASD sufferers are: packers, pickers, IT specialists, warehouse staff, storekeepers, cleaners and couriers.
