Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, My employer seem to be invalidating my AS diagnosis. I had a disciplinary appeal the other day and somebody made the comment' Oh that's just one person's opinion', I was gobsmacked all the problems I have had throughout my life and it was like this one person brought my whole world crashing down. I have struggled all my life with communicating with others and feeling different, I got my diagnosis 3 years ago from a psychologist that advertises on this very web site, who specialises in adult AS diagnosis and used NICE guidelines, surely that is proof that this person is is qualified to diagnose AS, isn't it?
I've spent the last 9 months (since my diagnosis) attempting to educate my employer without much success, to a point where they've caused a couple of big meltdowns over the past 3 or 4 months.
They act confused and infer I'm being unreasonable or say things like "you're not the only one a situation affects".
After the last meltdown I was signed off for a week.
My missus advised me to contact ACAS who told me to lodge a formal grievance with my employer, which I've done so now finally they have to address my concerns.
Didn't particularly want to but if they're going keep ignoring their duty of care at the expense of my health I didn't have much of a choice.
I should have lodged a grievance many years before I did - it can have two effects - it puts a stake in the ground that says you are being treated unfairly - but it can also put their backs up and strengthen their resolve to get rid of you.
You need to read your company grievance procedure VERY carefully and make sure you follow all the steps or it gets rejected immediately.