Case study: Make Working at HMRC Work for Everyone Survey, HMRC
Case study details
| Metadata item | Details |
|---|---|
| Owner: | Analysis Function Central Team |
| Who this is for: | All government analysts |
| Contact: | Lucy Lowery, Principal Social Researcher, HMRC (Lucy.Lowery@hmrc.gov.uk) |
Team name and Department
HMRC’s National Neurodiversity Network Project Team, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Situation and Action
Analysis of HMRC’s 2020 People Survey revealed that neurodivergent employees consistently reported more negative workplace experiences than other colleagues, including those with other disabilities. With an estimated 1 in 7 people being neurodivergent, this could affect up to 10,000 HMRC staff and 80,000 Civil Servants – impacting wellbeing, productivity, and retention.
However, existing data was limited and anecdotal. To address this, HMRC’s National Neurodiversity Network commissioned a Government Social Research (GSR) project, sponsored by Daljit Rehal, HMRC’s Chief Digital Information Officer and Disability Champion. A cross-departmental team of researchers and neurodivergent colleagues designed HMRC’s first robust survey focused on neurodivergent experiences.
The team collaborated with HMRC’s HR and Internal Accessibility Centre of Excellence to ensure inclusive design. They consulted neurodivergent staff to shape the questions and delivery. The survey reached 2,125 respondents, including 719 neurodivergent colleagues – creating an unprecedented dataset in the Civil Service.
Outcome / Impact / Results
The survey produced clear, actionable insights. It identified barriers and proposed solutions ranging from quick wins (for example, noise-cancelling headphones, senior messaging) to strategic reforms in workplace culture and support systems.
HMRC’s Executive Committee reviewed the findings and committed to further engagement. HR and Estates are implementing quick wins and exploring broader data collection on neurodiversity. The project’s methodology is replicable and is being shared across Whitehall, with other departments seeking to adopt it.
This work has the potential to improve working conditions for tens of thousands of neurodivergent colleagues across government, unlocking talent and fostering inclusive workplaces. Without this initiative, neurodivergent staff would remain underserved by evidence-based policy and practice.
Feedback and endorsement
- The project was sponsored by Daljit Rehal, HMRC’s Chief Digital Information Officer and Disability Champion
- HMRC’s Executive Committee has formally reviewed the findings and committed to further action
- Other government departments have contacted the team to learn from their methodology and approach
- The project was the winner of the 2025 Analysis in Government (AiG) Award in the Inclusion category with judges commenting that this is a, “Fantastic example of driving forward new analysis to improve the department’s understanding of the barriers faced by neurodiverse colleagues and thereby enabling change to happen”.
Further reading
How this work supports the Analysis Function strategy
HMRC’s work demonstrated behaviours which support the Analysis Function strategy by addressing workplace inclusion and retention of neurodivergent staff, and producing actionable insights for internal policy.
Find out more: a strategy for analysis in government 2025 to 2028