Latest news with #neurodivergent
The Guardian
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Asos customers banned for being ‘serial returners' say it is ‘deeply concerning'
Shoppers using the online retailer Asos have complained about having their accounts closed and being accused of breaching a 'fair use' policy on returns. Asos updated its terms and conditions last September, introducing charges for shoppers who frequently returned large numbers of goods in attempts to crack down on 'serial returners'. In the past few days some customers have reported receiving emails saying their accounts would be deactivated. One shopper, Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, said she had been contacted to say her account had been closed because she had made too many returns. 'As a tall, plus-sized, neurodivergent customer I find Asos's decision to deactivate accounts without warning deeply concerning,' she said. 'For people like me, online shopping isn't just a preference, it's a necessity. The high street often doesn't cater to our body types or sensory needs, and the physical act of shopping can be overwhelming … We rely on online retailers to try clothes in the safety and comfort of our own homes.' Frazer, whose video sharing her experience has had 150,000 views on TikTok, said one of the reasons for the returns was inconsistent sizing. 'To now be penalised for returning items that don't fit after being forced to order multiple sizes due to inconsistent sizing is not only unfair, it's discriminatory,' she said. 'There was no explanation, no transparency, and no chance to appeal.' On X (formerly Twitter) another user posted a picture of two bodysuits which were both labelled as medium but appeared to be different sizes. I'm a size 8-10. I mostly wear a size S. The bodysuit on the left is M (too small). The bodysuit on the right is also M (too big). But ASOS are closing my account because I return things 😂 @ASOS_news They said: 'I'm a size eight to 10. I mostly wear a size small. The bodysuit on the left is a medium (too small). The body suit on the right is also medium (too big). But Asos are closing my account because I return things.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Asos said: 'We recently closed the accounts of a small group of customers whose shopping activity has consistently fallen outside our fair use policy. This helps us maintain our commitment to offering free returns to all customers across all core markets.' Gary Rycroft, a consumer lawyer at Joseph A Jones & Co solicitors, said it was lawful for a business to decide it did not wish to conduct business with a certain group of customers, as long as the decision was based on commercial data and not discriminatory. 'Asos have imposed a threshold on returns and that's fine for them to change their terms and conditions and as long as other statutory protections for consumers are not breached,' he said. Such a change in terms and conditions should not affect the right of consumers to return goods that are faulty or not as described, he matching a retailer's published measurements for particular sizes could be said to be 'not as described'.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Cope With The Daily Distraction Deluge
New Microsoft data reveals a seemingly infinite work day, as well as interruptions every two ... More minutes. An interruption every two minutes, a deluge of 270 daily messages and emails, and the most valuable and productive hours of the day lost to mostly impromptu meetings. That's the state of workplaces today according to new data from Microsoft. It also shows that half of meetings take place during hours coinciding with natural productivity spikes driven by our circadian rhythms, when we should be focused on creative, deep work instead of, presumably, talking about it. Dr Tracy King, a clinical psychologist who consults with businesses on workplace wellbeing, and regularly conducts workplace needs assessments for employees, says she sees the hidden cost of constant digital disruption every day. 'It's not just about lost time, it's about lost self-trust, increased overwhelm, and a nervous system that never gets to fully settle,' she says. 'People describe a sense of being 'pulled out of themselves' before they can even complete a thought.' Over time, says King, this creates a fragmentation of focus, a depletion of emotional resources, and a disconnection from purpose. For neurodivergent employees, or those recovering from trauma or burnout, this can be especially destabilizing. Being interrupted every couple of minutes isn't just frustrating, it is deeply exhausting because it triggers micro stress responses that can lead to anxiety, burnout, and a lingering sense of underachievement, even after a busy day, says business coach Jo Irving. She adds: 'The real cost is not just lost minutes, it is lost momentum. When you never get to finish a thought, your work becomes shallow and your confidence can quietly suffer.' It's little wonder that, in a survey, 48% of employees and 52% of leaders described their work as feeling chaotic and fragmented. Also concerning is how work is creeping into supposed downtime. The data points to a steady rise in after-hours activity with chats sent outside the standard nine to five workday up 15% year on year, meetings after 8PM up 16%–driven by global and flexible teams–and more employees checking their inboxes late into the evenings. The tech maker concludes this points to a larger truth: that the modern workday for many has no clear start or finish. Those who've tried muting notifications and practising time management methods with good intentions will know they don't always go far enough and may be unsustainable, depending on culture and team dynamics. Instead, King wants more people to understand what constant interruptions do to their biology and learn how to re-regulate after disruptions rather than try to avoid them. She explains: 'Focus is a nervous system state, not just a mindset. Cortisol is your body's primary stress hormone. When you're constantly interrupted, your brain perceives this as a mild but continuous threat and cortisol levels rise.' The toll can be wide-reaching. 'If employees are constantly in fight-or-flight triggered by endless pings, unrealistic demands, or pressure to multitask, they can't engage socially. Team connection breaks down. People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent. Morale drops, then motivation, and finally, productivity and retention,' warns King. Over time, elevated cortisol impacts cognitive function by disrupting memory formation, reducing attention span, slowing decision making and inhibiting flexible thinking and empathy. 'You may still get things done, but you're doing them reactively, not reflectively,' she adds. While the effect on individuals can be huge, there's also knock-on effects to the business to consider. Dan Franklin, chief strategy officer at investment company Handl Group says: 'For leadership teams especially, it's not just about the minutes lost, but the impact on the kind of deep thinking time needed for quality decision-making and long-term strategy. If leaders are constantly in triage mode, then their big picture judgment suffers, which ultimately affects the business.' So what can be done? Franklin suggests business culture needs to change to allow time for uninterrupted focus. 'It could mean redesigning the working week to allow specific blocks of time to be allocated for deeper, strategic work. Or having a clear method for employees to indicate in calendars and internal communication systems that they are unavailable for a set amount of time,' he says. King recommends a simple one-minute self-regulation exercise. Every 90 minutes, take 60 seconds to stand or sit near a window or open space, gaze softly at the furthest point you can see—the horizon, a tree line, rooftops–let your eyes relax, and breathe slowly, ideally through your nose. 'This shifts your visual system out of tunnel vision–a stress response–and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which restores calm and focus. It tells your brain, 'I'm safe, I can slow down.' Regulated people are more productive people, not because they're doing more, but because they're doing it with clarity, calm, and connection.' Irving suggests exploring practical methods such as time blocking focused work sessions and clearly communicating availability to colleagues, single tasking instead of multitasking and building in mindful transitions between meetings to breathe, stretch, or reset attention. She explains: 'Productivity is not about pushing harder. It is about working with intention. When energy is protected, work feels less overwhelming and more purposeful and performance naturally improves.'
CBC
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
This program gives neurodiverse adults a chance to showcase their art
The Art-Seen program highlights the work of neurodivergent adults. Students had the opportunity to display their art at the Visual Arts Centre in Westmount, Que.
Arab News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
What We Are Reading Today: Forest Euphoria by Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian
In 'Forest Euphoria,' Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian introduces readers to the queerness of all the life around us. In snakes, snails, and, above all, fungi, she saw her own developing identities as a queer, neurodivergent person reflected back at her — and in them, too, she found a personal path to a life of science. Nature, Kaishian shows us, is filled with the unusual, the overlooked, and the marginalized — and they have lessons for us all.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Creativity Rewired: Havas Debuts 'Beyond the Brief' to Spotlight Neurodiversity as the Next Creative Advantage
Launching on Neurodiversity Pride Day at Cannes Lions 2025, the global campaign challenges the industry to rethink creativity by focusing on neurodivergent talent. CANNES, France, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Havas unveils Beyond the Brief – a bold, first-of-its-kind global campaign designed to reshape conversations around the future of the creative industry. Launched live on the opening day of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and led by Donna Murphy, Global CEO of Havas Creative and Health Networks, Beyond the Brief builds on Neuroverse: Powered by Havas, and the commitment to reshaping how creative talent is identified and embraced. The initiative was teased over the weekend with an unbranded activation on the Croisette and continues throughout the festival. "We're at a pivotal point of transformation in the creative industry, driven by the rise of AI and the welcoming of new tools and ideas. Yet there remains a clear gap – one that Havas believes has a clear resolve by tapping into the immense potential of neurodivergent creative talent," said Donna Murphy. The campaign is anchored by the inaugural Havas mainstage panel, "Neurodivergent Minds: They Don't Need Advertising – Advertising Needs Them," taking place June 16 at the Palais' Lumière Theatre. Moderated by The Daily podcast host Michael Barbaro of The New York Times, the conversation features global recording artist, Lola Young, who will be joined by Renee Connolly, Chief Belonging & Inclusion Officer and SVP, Life Science Communications & Branding, Merck KGaA; and Donna Murphy. "I'm not here to fit into anyone's idea of what 'creative' should look like, I'm here because the way my mind works is exactly why my art connects," shared Lola Young, global recording artist. "ADHD isn't a barrier, it's the engine. Being part of this panel, and the industry challenge Havas is putting forward at Cannes, is about saying it loud: there's power in the mess, and brilliance in the minds people have spent too long trying to 'fix'." Unbranded digital teaser displays appeared along the Croisette ahead of the official campaign's launch, and running all week, with bold creative asking questions like, "What if the future of creativity doesn't look like the past — and never did?" QR codes embedded in the work link to a dedicated microsite with a full agenda of neurodiversity-focused programming across Cannes and beyond Havas, underscoring that this is a movement larger than one agency. Additional programming includes the Havas Café panel, "The New Creative Alchemy: Neurodivergent Minds & AI as Industry Catalysts," on Monday, June 16. The session will unveil new data and professional insights that highlight the contributions of neurodivergent individuals, as creative professionals and powerful consumers, offering agencies, brands, and leaders a practical roadmap for action. "With Beyond the Brief, we're looking to amplify these voices and challenge the industry to rethink the systems in place. At the world's largest creative festival, we're calling on everyone to help shape a future of creativity that's more dynamic and powerful than ever before," adds Murphy. The campaign's dedicated microsite, accessible via QR codes on the Havas digital displays on the Croissette, offers a full look at Beyond the Brief and Havas' broader neurodiversity efforts, including the Cannes programming agenda, featured events across the festival, downloadable insights report, and more. Visit it directly at ABOUT HAVAS HEALTH NETWORK Havas Health Network unites Havas Life, Havas Lynx, and Jacques, all wholly owned health and communications networks, with the consumer health businesses and practices of Havas Creative Network. The network's approach is centered around making a meaningful difference and has the talent, tenacity, and technology that health companies, brands, and people need to thrive in today's world. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Havas Worldwide, LLC Sign in to access your portfolio
