Beyond accommodation: Rethinking workplace environments through sensory diversity

. This study examines how physical workplace environments influence the experiences, functioning, and outcomes of neurodivergent employees, with a particular focus on sensory diversity. While existing research has predominantly adopted an accommodation-oriented perspective, this review adopts a broader lens to investigate how workplace environments themselves are designed and conceptualised. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, resulting in a sample of 30 empirical studies published between 2009 and 2026. The findings show that sensory-related environmental factors, particularly auditory and visual stimuli, are the most commonly reported workplace barriers. These factors are closely linked to physical characteristics such as open-plan layouts and lighting conditions, but their effects are mediated through individual sensory processing differences. Workplace adjustments, such as noise-cancelling devices, flexible lighting, and remote work, were widely reported as beneficial, yet often inconsistently implemented and insufficiently aligned with employees’ needs. Across studies, workplace environments and adjustments were associated with a range of outcomes, including work performance, psychological well-being, cognitive functioning, and physical experience. The review highlights that workplace challenges are not solely individual issues but are embedded in prevailing design assumptions that reflect neurotypical norms. Building on these insights, the paper argues for a shift from reactive accommodations toward proactive, flexible, and participatory workplace design. By conceptualising sensory sensitivity as dynamic and context-dependent, this study contributes to advancing neuroinclusive workplace design and identifies key directions for future research.