AUTISM, EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS AND WHERE MY FUTURE LIES

Hi everyone.

I have had lengthy discussions about an up coming tribunal on this forum. I have listened to your comments and i have to say i am now quite demoralised about the future.  From discussions on here i now how the impression that i should not have stood up for myself and that the outcome of this tribunal will have negative conscequences for me whatever the outcome. I feel as though my career (which i love) is over. The prospect of spending my life on benefits is horrific as i have always been ambitious and any time i have spent on benefits in the past has dragged me it to a dark hole of depression.

My tribunal pre-hearing is a week away. From discussions i have had on here it appears that i will likely lose. This would be because tribunals favour the employer and so do ACAS.

Maybe it is a result of my condition and my 'rigid black and white thinking' or maybe it is a result of my 'inflexible sense of justice' but i do feel i have wronged by my employer. From my interpretation of what has happened in this job, i have been discriminated against. We are potentially a confrontational species and to a degree i have felt compelled to take this issue as far as i have in the misguided belief that the UK justice system is there to protect myself and others like me. I now feel that i have done the wrong thing all along.

After my daughters death, all i have left is my career and that looks like it is in tatters at the moment. I work in a small industry and should i fail here, it is likely i will struggle getting a job in this line of work again. My hope has been that a financial punishment levelled at my employer would make them think twice regarding my future and that i could then try and concentrate on building a prosperous future for myself.  It seems however that the overall opinion is that this tribunal will only lead to a future dismissal anyway.

Perhaps i am not fit to work. Perhaps this is the ultimate truth that this process is leading to. Where does this leave me though. For me i feel it is leading back to the black hole that i have been trying to escape from all these years.

Since my diagnosis i have been lead to beleive that i should celebrate my difference. That i should be proud of who i am and that i should potentially offer a unique skill set to my employers.

This perspective is likely going to be destroyed by this tribunal. I have felt humiliated in my current employment but i feel that the humiliation resulting from this going to be far greater.

I am angered that a person in a call centre with no appreciation for ASD will ultimately be judge jury and executioner for my future at the company i currently work at.  That such unqualified people can have such a huge influence in judicial outcomes. Perhaps i should have accepted whatever was proposed by my employer and sacrificed my confidence. Whatever the case, i have passed the point of no return now.

It is no exaggeration that i have had suicidal thoughts over this past year. My life has changed beyond recognition since my daughters passing and my ASD diagnosis. My social circles have collapsed entirely.  This fight against my employer has given me cause in an otherwise bleak world.  Now this cause is under scrutiny and perhaps i was misguided in my beliefs.

Where does this leave me.  I hate the fact that i have this condition and wish i was NT like most other people. I need peace. I really dont know what to do with my self if my career is over. I dont think i have the strength to start from scratch at 38 years old. 

  • At the end of the day, (hate that saying but using it lol) What you have read on here is all just opinion. You may be one of the lucky ones.

    I am in a similar situation to you, what I have done is look at the government web site at past tribunals and see if there are any that were successful that maybe have similarities to my/ your situation. apparently only 7% are successful but an awful lot pull out at the last minute, did they settle on the day?? Who knows.

    I'm hoping mine doesn't get that far and at the moment it looks like I may have a glimmer of a resolution but I'm still not sure that if it came to it, would I go the whole way, I don't know because it could also damage my whole career it is a massive decision but only you can know what you will do.

    Good luck with it all, I feel your pain.

  • Hi there! How did you get on in your tribunal case? I am just going through similar. I see there is some new relevant case law which helps people like us. 

  • Things are generally on the up for the time being however. 

  • Thankyou for the voice of support. Most of what i have heard on here is that i will fail and that i have been too emotional.

    Let me just add that i will under no circumstances accept an offer that buys my silence. I feel that for us all, the details of this case need to be public so it can assist others like me whether i win or lose!

  • I feel sub human too. I wish I could offer advice but I'm stuck. Don't lose hope. At least you have fight left in you.

  • Like to give out critism....cant take it though aye?

  • I see you are making assumptions and plenty of them.

    I have studied the legislation. I have not been able to afford legal advice but i have spoken to solicitors. I have had advice from NHS welfare officers and i have a wealth of experience of dealing with HR staff.

    What they have done is WRONG! It s just a case of whether i can PROVE it or not.

    They are bullying and harassing me because of WHO I AM! 

    I came to this forum for advice and support. The majority of you have just critised me as a person and my approach to this issue. At least im standing up for myself and not taking this up the back side like a coward.

    I think i am entitled to be angry. If i wasnt, why the hell would i take this to a tribunal.

    Do me a favour and read through other peoples forum post on here relating to employment tribunals. I am not alone in this kind of experience. Dont take me for a fool because i am not one.

    I am not in this situation because i got all upset with myself and got my knickers in a twist. I think some of you lot should support me more rather than attacking my character.

    All this negativity is having a bad impact on me at a time when i really dont need it.

    This was always going to be david v goliath. I do not need this community knocking me down before i even get there. 

    This should be an issue close to all our hearts. Where is the support aye? 

  • I suspect seeking widespread advice earlier in the process might have helped you reach a more equitable outcome.  Unfortunately as Ambassador Kosh said in Babylon 5:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60loeoblu0M : 

    "The avalanche has already started, it is too late for the pebbles to vote."

    I also suspect your seemingly built-up over many years anger may have clouded your judgement in this situation whereas clearer heads might have more chance of prevailing.

    What's done is done however, so you can only progress from where you are.  I'd suggest spending time between now and when things start:

    a) trying to let go of as much of your anger over this as you possibly can.  Some of the others may have some more tangible suggestions on things that might help you with that.

    b) when you go into the next phase, be calm and non-confrontational, and with a view that you are looking to find the most equitable compromise possible.  Don't pre-judge anything and, go in with a clear, calm and open mind.  Think of it as trying to make a fresh start - draw a line under everything to date and start again.

    Overthinking what may or may not happen, and envisioning apocalyptic scenarios isn't going to help you at the moment, and there's no way of knowing at this stage what the outcome is going to be, so energy spent on that is just wasted energy.

  • I dont see much hope at the moment. Ive been trying to find meaning in my life since my daughters death. This meaning did sit with my career and employment. It was all that i thought i had left. This now seems as though it is going to be taken from me.

    I feel sub human. 

  • Perhaps i am not fit to work. Perhaps this is the ultimate truth that this process is leading to. Where does this leave me though. For me i feel it is leading back to the black hole that i have been trying to escape from all these years.

    I feel for you because I'm in a similar situation.  Although You're younger so there is more hope for you.

    The "fitness for work" criteria is a big issue.  Almost all people and organisations have an agenda. DWP,  job centre workcoachs, employment advisors etc , all insist that I only have minor quirks and I'm fit for work.

    Employers and potential employers insist that I have bizzare  behaviour and I'm unemployable.

    So what do we do in these situations????