Share your thoughts on getting a job as an autistic adult

For over twenty five years I was not in work.

This was not for want of trying.  I am a very strong cI ontender for the Guinness Book of Records category of most jobs applied for without being offered anything.  I had many, many interviews over the years and unsuccessful in all of them.  There were times when no one else was interviewed but I still came third choice and was not successful.

I just did not know why.  I once or twice had 'mock' interviews and was told that I was not maintaining eye contact, I was answering questions with one word answers and was 'fidgeting'.  Trying to address these things I was then told I was 'staring', sitting bolt upright and being totally irrelevant with my answers to questions.

Over the years I honed my written applications to perfection, still got interviews and still invariably failed.  I only succeeded when I taught myself to type using 'Mavis Beacon teaches Typing' and getting my RSAs in text processing/word processing that an agency took me on and I was sent to jobs.  I was then taken on permanently (well until I went on another course) at an electrical maintenance company and then later at the NHS where I worked as a data analyst until TUPEd over into a job which was basically back to typing and in which problems started big time and I finally went for my autism diagnosis.

It must not be forgotten that for a major period of the time I was out of work autism was not known about, and certainly not Aspergers syndrome.   I was just classed as 'strange' or a 'wierdo' by others.  And then people began to hear about it but it was thought by many to be something caused by measles vaccine and was an affliction of childhood.  No one thought that older people were affected and had problems of their own.

I have documented in other posts the problems I have had with my current employer, it culminated in a case at an employment tribunal and an 'out of court' settlement for a sum of money before a full hearing (a COT3 agreement where there is no blame and agreement to certain terms on the part of my employer and certain conditions imposed on me, but I still have my job, the conditions at work have improved tremendously and my stress levels have considerably reduced. 

My diagnosis led to help from Access to Work, a support worker for two sessions per month and adjustments.  It was a very difficult time with my managers who still didn't seem to understand about my autism, and it reached a stage at one time that I thought I would be without a job very soon at a time when I would find it extra difficult to find a job (I am in my sixties and due to retire in less than two years time.)  The employment tribunal (after a grievance, grievance appeal, and Early Concilliation) was really the thing that made things change even though it reached an agreement (very few Employment Tribunals go all the way and are successful, in most cases the employer will offer a sum of money to withdraw or reach an agreement, and the tribunal system is geared towards money rather than anything else so it can happen that if money is refused an employment tribunal will not offer any money as it is less than the sum refused, and it might be that costs are awarded against the claimant also).  The employment tribunal system is a long drawn out process and is stressful so it is as well to bear that in mind.

Most of my problems I believe have been caused by not considering the strengths I have, just considering my weaknesses and playing on that which caused stress, anxiety and affected my feelings of the workplace.  Despite everything I now feel better at my workplace, I am listened to a lot more and no longer absolutely dread arriving at work every day wondering what I am going to be pulled up about.  Which in my opinion shows that standing my ground eventually gave me the best result possible in the circumstances.

Thank you so much for your story this was very interesting to read. I can definitely agree with you on the interview process. Using short answers and fidgeting alot.

Our goals as Stack is to educate employers on Autism and Aspergers syndrome. Showing them that we are able to work and that our metal state isn't a thing to be afraid of.  

Thank you very much for your story and have a lovely day. 

Hazel 

Stack

Thank you so much for your story this was very interesting to read. I can definitely agree with you on the interview process. Using short answers and fidgeting alot.

Our goals as Stack is to educate employers on Autism and Aspergers syndrome. Showing them that we are able to work and that our metal state isn't a thing to be afraid of.  

Thank you very much for your story and have a lovely day. 

Hazel 

Stack