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Social Skills have too high a premium in the workplace?

Atypical

In the world of employment there is a significant focus on social skills and the ability to ‘play the game’. Arguably, this is one of the greatest barriers to many on the Spectrum and could account for many injustices in this regard. The ability to a job, with or without adjustments, is often trumped over whether someone is the ‘right’ person. I’ve been told that the right person is needed because the time spent at work is longer than with Partners. Others think of the workplace as a family and  feel it’s important to recruit someone who they can ‘get along with.’ Indeed, if someone doesn’t come across as sociable or likable, an application can be dismissed very quickly. Statistics suggest that ASD people are often not given a fair chance and this was rightly highlighted in the NAS ‘Could you stand the Rejection?’ (Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h8iF0TAmyr4).

I believe this occurs from a misunderstanding/misapplication of Equality and Diversity. My reading is this, Equality and Diversity is about embracing difference and accommodating this in a work environment. This might create more work and necessitate a change of culture but in doing so, the benefits outweigh any inconvenience.

I’ve always leaned towards strengthing legal protections and enhancing powers of regulators. What are your views?

Parents

  • I worked in an engineering office for a while - none were proper engineers, they were fitters and glorified maintenance men and it had a 'lad' culture (even though most were in their 50s) and I really didn't fit in - it was all farting, sexism, football and beer. They were all mates of the manager so no matter how useless they were, they survived and got performance pay rises.

    They resented anyone competent, smart and eloquent because it made them all look bad. They really hated anyone who noticed they were falsifying data and 'accidentally' cancelling jobs if they might exceed their service requirements (forcing the end-user to reinstate the job which  reset the calendar).

    It was interesting to study them like a troop of monkeys. You could see the ring-leaders, the enforcers, the submissives, the up-&-coming new leaders etc.

    I noticed it took 3 months before a new-starter began to mimic their language & behaviours to become accepted into the group.

    I got shuffled out of that department.

  • in reply to Plastic

    Engineering and the Sciences are regarded as Austitic friendly environments however, politics and discrimination is still reported. This suggests that ASD is not the problem rather, the failure of modern workplaces to treat employees with respect and dignity.

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