Podcast

Episode 32: Sensory-Friendly Workplaces, Sensory Overload & the Peloton Case

Have you ever spent an entire day feeling exhausted and irritable, only to realise you've been battling flickering lights, background chatter, uncomfortable clothes, or an office that feels like sensory chaos?

This week on SEND IT: Brains at Work, we're talking about sensory-friendly workplaces. What they are, why they matter, and what happens when workplaces don't take sensory needs seriously.

We share some of our own sensory wins (and disasters), explore the research around sensory overload, and look at a recent employment tribunal involving Peloton that highlights how workplace environments can have a real impact on disabled employees. Episode 32

In this episode
🎙️ Why sensory needs aren't just an autism or ADHD issue
🎙️ The reality of working in noisy, bright, unpredictable environments
🎙️ Why one person's ideal workspace can be another person's nightmare
🎙️ Practical workplace changes that can reduce sensory strain
🎙️ What the Equality Act says about workplace barriers and disability
🎙️ The employment tribunal involving Peloton and sensory overload at work
🎙️ What the evidence tells us about noise, lighting, distraction and performance
🎙️ Why small changes can often have the biggest impact

Our SEND IT takeaway
A sensory-friendly workplace isn't about getting everything perfect.
It's about giving people options.

A quieter space. Better lighting. Flexibility. Recovery breaks. The ability to say, “This environment isn't working for me” and be listened to.

Most of the time, inclusion isn't about expensive solutions. It's about paying attention.

Resources from this episode
ACAS
Neurodiversity at Work
Reasonable Adjustments
Equality Act 2010
The legislation covering disability discrimination and workplace adjustments:
legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
National Autistic Society
Information and resources on sensory differences and workplace support:
autism.org.uk
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Guidance on workplace environments, lighting and noise:
hse.gov.uk

Research mentioned
Open-plan offices and workplace distraction
Kim, J. & de Dear, R. (2013) Workspace Satisfaction: The Privacy-Communication Trade-off in Open-Plan Offices

Noise and workplace stress
Evans, G.W. & Johnson, D. (2000) Stress and Open-Office Noise

Office noise and concentration
Banbury, S. & Berry, D. (2005) Office Noise and Employee Concentration

Sensory experiences of autistic adults
Robertson, A.E. & Simmons, D.R. (2015) The Sensory Experiences of Autistic Adults

ADHD and environmental interference
Kofler, M.J. et al. (2016)

Sensory processing and everyday functioning
Miller, L.J. et al. (2007)

We'd love to hear from you
What's the one sensory change that's made the biggest difference to your working life?

Noise-cancelling headphones? Softer lighting? Working from home? Camera-off meetings? A favourite hoodie that somehow makes everything easier?

Come and tell us. We genuinely love hearing the little things that make work more manageable.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who might find it useful.

And if you're currently sitting under a flickering office light wondering why you feel dreadful, this one's especially for you. 💜