Author: April Ogden, Founder and CEO, It’s Your Outcome

What if Hidden Barriers Were Quietly Driving Away Great Employees—and Stopping Top Talent from Even Applying?

Every leader envisions a thriving, high-performing team. But here’s the truth: even the best workplaces can have unseen challenges—policies, processes, or environments that unintentionally create roadblocks.

These barriers don’t just affect your employees. They can cost you productivity, morale, and your ability to attract and retain top talent.

Without addressing these barriers, organizations risk losing their best people and falling behind in a competitive market. But the good news? Transformative change starts with identifying what’s holding you back.

 

What Is a Workplace Accessibility and Opportunity Audit?

It’s like a comprehensive check-up for your organization, designed to uncover hidden gaps and create a thriving workplace for everyone.

Here’s what we assess:

• Accessibility Check: Are your physical and digital spaces empowering every employee?
• Policies and Practices: Are your hiring, onboarding, and day-to-day processes unintentionally excluding?
• Employee Experience: What’s the unspoken feedback your team wishes you knew?
• Tools for Success: What improvements can drive immediate and measurable results?

 

Why Does This Matter?

Organizations that remove workplace barriers don’t just check boxes—they lead the way in creating dynamic, high-performing teams. Here’s what’s possible when you take action:

• ➡️ Attract Top Talent: Show you’re committed to helping every employee thrive.
• ➡️ Boost Performance: Teams perform their best in a supportive environment.
• ➡️ Increase Retention: Employees stay where they feel valued and empowered.
• ➡️ Strengthen Your Brand: Organizations known for opportunity and accessibility build trust and loyalty with employees and customers alike.

 

Real Results, Real Impact

One organization we worked with discovered that their AI-based recruitment system was unintentionally screening out highly qualified neurodiverse candidates. These systems, while efficient, relied on criteria that didn’t account for diverse communication styles or alternative ways of demonstrating skills.

Through our audit, we helped the organization identify these challenges and develop strategies to remove those barriers. By adjusting the system’s parameters and incorporating more inclusive evaluation methods, they not only widened their talent pool but also created a hiring process that better aligned with their values.

This kind of transformation is within your reach—it starts with identifying the barriers you might not even know exist.

 

Take Action Today

Great leaders don’t wait for change—they lead it.

We’re offering a limited number of free 15-minute consultations, available only through January 29, 2025. Don’t wait—schedule your call today before spots run out!

👉 Schedule Your Free Consultation Now

 

What’s One Workplace Barrier You’ve Encountered?

Share your thoughts in the comments—or let’s explore solutions together during a free consultation!

 

About the Author

April Ogden is a workplace consultant and founder of It’s Your Outcome, where she helps organizations create environments that empower employees to thrive. With over 15 years of experience, April has consulted with over 1,000 companies across industries such as healthcare, technology, financial services, non-profits, and federal and state government agencies to uncover hidden workplace barriers, strengthen teams, and boost employee engagement.

As someone with firsthand experience navigating workplace barriers, April is passionate about helping organizations embrace accessibility and opportunity. She developed The Bridge Framework, a six-step approach that equips leaders to address challenges and foster success for every employee.

April holds a Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and serves on the board of Creative Community Services, advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities.

👉 Connect with April on LinkedIn or explore more insights at

itsyouroutcome.com/blog.