Published on 12, July, 2020
Does anyone else have a horror of talking on the phone? I have hated using the phone since I was a child, although it is hard to pin down exactly why I dislike it so much. I think my main difficulty is 'reading' how a conversation is going when I can't see the other person. I pause for too long, or jump in too soon, or struggle to pick up crucial info from their tone - is this a bad time to call? am I making myself clear?
I am currently going through a work-related nightmare scenario where I have been asked to make loads of phone calls - in a situation I have always previously handled by email - and I feel stressed and anxious about all the time: anticipating the calls, making the calls, reflecting on the calls. It is supposed to be making everyone feel encouraged, but if any of the hapless recipients are like me they will be thoroughly put off!
I have always thought this was just a random failure on my part, but now I am wondering whether it is integral to my nature.
https://www.relayuk.bt.com/
Relay UK..?
They think that telling me to use Relay UK fulfills their obligations. But (a) I've never managed to get Rellay to work and (b) it doesn't solve the problem of being bombarded with information that I won't take in, but would have no problem digesting if it were out in an email or letter. Apparently the call needs to be "conversational" so a letter won't do.
It shouldn't need to come to that. Just pointing out to them which particular rules and regulations they're breaking might work.
That is assuming you can find a method to communicate with them that isn't by phone. You can always use a good old fashioned letter.
It's shocking that they can hold on to your money like that. Don't let them win by writing it off. There will be a way, even if you don't know what it is yet.
I get the effort it takes to constantly fight these things. In my ideal world all autistic adults would have easy access to free advocacy services, who would take on these kinds of issues and fight for the reasonable adjustments we currently cannot access.
Oh... it must have been torturous doing that job...
Like the worst..
Burn all the phones!
That could work.. it used to, once. .
See? You can make phones!!
When I used to work in the call centre, there used to be icebreaker-conversations about phobias, I always used to say that mine was calls and people laughed, but I really meant it..
I was literally thinking ‘is Pegg talking about string cups?’, but I didn’t say it ,because I thought you also have been talking about making a call..
Well... you can sort of make them, out of tin cans and string... if like me, you're basically a child in spirit.. ------------------------
Which concept is far more entertaining than making phone calls, which is what I attempted to write...
I detest making phone calls and will do all in my power to avoid it.
I don't answer phone calls...
And also, great drawing!
What phones..?
What about making them?
I have a phobia of answering phones..
I am unfortunately not capable of pursuing a legal case. It looks like I might have to write off the £20k that's stuck in that provider's accounts. At least I realised now and not 20 years later!
Yes, but the problem is getting them to comply. Not everyone has the determination / resources to pursue a complaint to get them to do it or to take legal action if necessary.
Under the Equality Act 2010 they should be agreeing to reasonable adjustments, to ensure that you can access their services in a format you can understand.
As it is a pension provider it may also fall under the FCA guidance for treating vulnerable customers fairly.
https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/finalised-guidance/fg21-1.pdf
Did you manage to sort this out? I've just found out that my pension provider has the same policy. I'm thinking of stopping my contributions and saving in cash instead, as at least then I retain access to the money. I can't do calls at all - the sound coming out of the phone is just random noises and I can't tell when it's my turn to speak.
I don't like phones, im to nervous to make and answer phone calls to someone I don't know, one reason why was because I was picked on at school down to some speech problems.
I do not like using the phone, i hate talking to people in general if i don't know them because im worried how they may react, and this is exasperated on the phone because at least in person i can read the situation, the phone provides an added unknown and so i hate talking even to people i know by phone. Proves quite problematic in work as we are all so reliant on phones nowadays. Ive even started to become anxious over emails. Ultimately though i just have to suck it up, eventually once my mortgage is paid i will jack it all in and ignore everyone, thats what keeps me going at any rate
recruitment via phone! I was yelled at for not calling people faster but I needed to write scripts to follow!
The boss also started making me write down my number of calls made
I'm still traumatised and have nightmares. The job ended January!