Work problems

Have you contacted Access to Work? You can refer yourself and ask for assistance to retain your job. How disappointing that your employer is being so obstructive. Make sure you write everything down, keep copies of emails etc as this will be helpful if you do end up losing your job unfairly.

I had a useful meeting with a Disability Employment Adviser at a Job Centre yesterday. I still have multiple part-time and casual jobs - he was able to give me some good advice about how to try and get adjustments made.

Could you ask whoever diagnosed you to endorse your request for adjustments? I have drafted an employment checklist and autism passport and sent these to my psychologist to review. If my employer won't accept my assessment of my own needs I hope they will take notice of what she says.

I am in a Trade Union which is helpful. My rep accompanies me to meetings which changes the dynamic. It might be worth joining a Union now, they may not be able to intervene on issues that have already happened but they can ensure you are treated fairly from now on.

Asperger's can be a real challenge at work in that the difficulties we have may not be apparent to other people. This makes it more likely that our requests for adjustments are seen as wants not needs (Alis Rowe - the Curly Haired Girl - has created a lovely cartoon about this). We should be accepted as experts on our own condition.

So sorry to hear what a difficult situation you are in. ACAS can sometimes intervene too. If you haven't already done so it might be worth phoning the NAS helpline for advice, or emailing them.

Try and stay strong. It can be very dispiriting to get a response like this from an employer.

I think you should be a union rep you're very knowledgeable, 

I think you should be a union rep you're very knowledgeable,