Published on 12, July, 2020
I started a new job last Monday, and after a very frank review with manager on Friday afternoon I'm considering quitting after only a week.
The basic theme of the review was that I'm not showing an aptitude for the work and not engaging with the clients well enough.
I will start by explaining some of my background and situation.
I, unsurprisingly have had long gaps in my employment and need money desperately. And I cannot be choosy! So obvious route is finding paid employment. Any paid job!!!!!
Other routes are trying for more benefits. One debt advisor suggested I apply for PIP. The next three professional advisors ( same week) laughed at the suggestion. Saying that my social skills problems are minisule compared to some people they deal with.
I have and had multiple advisors giving me all types of contradictory advice.
In applying for this job, one of my employment advisors actually changed my answers.
For confidentiality reasons I will not give specific details but the job is full time at the minimum wage and involves supporting people with complex physical/mental needs. Over the past twenty years I've been involved in doing this type of work for family and neighbors, so I am familiar with the issues and can emphasize with most autistics and their problems.
The problems are that I'm not showing enough enthusiasm and the will to get involved in specific tasks while shadowing existing workers. I am too reserved.
And the end of week review was very very negative.
Should I quit? Or turn up tomorrow morning and carry on ?
At the moment I'm intending to continue and apply for other jobs simultaneously. Just doing application for work at local poundstrechter.
That's the kind of work I do. I think a review after just one week is more than a bit premature! It can take people a long time to settle into a job like that. There's a huge amount to learn - even if you've had some experience - and it takes a while to get used to the client group. In my current job, which I started last September, I was only in role for a couple of weeks when I decided it wasn't for me. It was a change of client group to working with purely autistic people, and I missed some of the other people I used to work with. I applied for a couple of other jobs and had interviews for them. I even got offered one. But it came at a time when I was beginning to settle a bit more. I was getting more used to working with the clients, and getting to know them. I'm now glad I didn't leave. 8 months down the line, I'm properly settled.
I think they really need to give you a bit more of a chance with it. They don't sound very helpful. Rather than telling you what you're not doing it would be better for them to offer to help you more in role.
Have you told them you have ASC? The employment adviser who ordered you to lie is a disgrace. Sounds like they were more interested in hitting performance targets rather than helping you to find a suitable role.