Published on 12, July, 2020
In my supervision a week or so ago my line manager said that she found it intimidating O was rocking in my chair and didn't like the way I was staring.This after she's had a rant about trade unions and my pre TUPE employer. She then said she could not carry on because of my behaviour.
I have consistently said I am overworked and that I am set impossible workloads. Last week I was sent an email saying my work again was piling up. I replied saying I found it difficult to express how I felt about my work, and (since it appeared I was again being blamed for something not my fault) I said I did not like being the whipping boy and that my protests appear to fall on dead ears, amongst other things to try to explain my feelings and the workload situation.
If course, she went straight at me for this. She found my language 'offensive' 'inappropriate' and unacceotabe. .I qcannot see in any way that expressing my feelings in this way is unacceptable, but I don't know if she really understands the meaning of 'whipping boy' as I understand it to mean a person who is blamed and punished for someone else's misdemeanours which goes back to royal courts when a bit was employed to take the punishment of a Prince since the Prince being of royal birth could not be punished. I cannot understand why she finds this offensive apart from to not address the problem in the first place as to why I felt that way. And it goes to help prove that my protests have 'fallen on dead ears ' in that she did not want to understand my reason for using this terminology.
Can anyone explain to me why this is unacceptable or offensive language?. I appear to be goaded into a position that causes me anxiety and asked to explain and then be punished for when I do. And her email to me insinuating I was not getting my work done I found offensive but if course that does not matter. I was close to a meltdown at that point but have been told my meltdowns are unacceptable too. Rather than send me email, she would have done better seeing if anyone could help me with my work or coming to say she could see I was having difficulties and someone would help out.
I do have problems with communicating and being blunt, I cannot understand the neurological mind at all. She is now saying she is to draw up a behaviour agreement but I cannot stop being autistic, having meltdowns or being truthful in expressing my feelings.So how can I agree to something I have no real control over which is part of my being autistic?
I agree with the earlier posters.
These are some links you may find helpful:https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/https://www.gov.uk/browse/disabilitieshttps://www.equalityhumanrights.com/enhttp://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/work.aspx (this includes a section on bullying)
NAS also has a page about managing autistic employees:http://www.autism.org.uk/managing
You may also wish to contact NAS for advice (http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/about-us/contact-us.aspx).
UNISON's document Proving Disability and Reasonable Adjustments (https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2014/12/TowebProving-disability-and-reasonable-adjustments-ed5-Oct-142.pdf) contains a section on autism.
I also recommend downloading the TUC's document Autism in the Workplace (https://www.tuc.org.uk/sites/default/files/Autism.pdf).
Hi Trainspotter,
I'm really sorry to hear this. It sounds very much like a situation I had once in the workplace, where I was being bullied - and whatever I tried to do about it just made it worse. I wish I'd belonged to a union then, because I feel I would have had a good case against my employer for constructive dismissal. Sounds a bit like what they're trying to do to you. One thing's for certain - you won't be able to carry on like that for much longer before breaking down. I remember my day clearly. I had one negative comment too many: the straw that broke the camel's back. I simply stood up from my desk and walked out, and hang the consequences. I still broke down and was sick for a long time - but I was out of there. They couldn't fire me, though, so they were forced to take me back in a different role. It worked for a time. But then they tried it on again. Their agenda was clear. They wanted me gone... and they closed ranks around me.
Is there anyone at all you can go to? A union rep? Occupational Health? Might it even be worth contacting the Equalities and Human Rights Commission?
Tom
In addition write down all the events that have happened and how it has effected you. Write the dates down and sign each page.
Save all your emails and print them off.
If you feel they are trying to force you out contact Union and/or Solicitor.
Join a Trade Union and/or contact a Solicitor. There are obligations under law to make reasonable adjustments. It’s clear no effort has been made this way.
I would refuse to sign anything on the basis of discrimination under the Equality Act. That’s just me.