As an Aspie in employment, which is the best union to join?

Are there unions specific to Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England? I live in Northern Ireland.

I have been given menial jobs at work and I think I’m being gas lighted. People ignore me and talk about politics and health issues at work. It’s very unprofessional and I avoid lunch with staff so to avoid feeling awkward and under a microscope.

HR by the way are very distant with me ever since I disclosed my aspergers, or maybe since I described insidious bullying and poor treatment at a previous place of employment. Or maybe since I said I contacted specialisterne as they can work with the employer and employee and could provide a service to me. HR did not like this, I knew as soon as I said it. I don’t really know.

I do know that people are keeping me out of the loop (about what I’m not sure) because there’s so much whispering going on and team members are behaving shiftily. All communications to me are being done via email with my manager cc’d in. I am being brought up on minor mistakes which has not happened before.

So how do I go about joining a union because I can see myself being let go from my job and it being covered up as a ‘performance’  or attitudinal problem.

Thank you

Parents
  • If your employer recognises a union, that would be the best choice.  Otherwise, look for a union specific to your trade.  And if there isn't one specific, Unite will cover it as they absorbed a large number of other small unions from different professions.

    You are entitled under employment law to representation from a trade union representative or a work colleague can accom  pany you but not represent you in formal disciplinary procedures or if you are lodging a grievance.  You will also be entitled to free legal advice if you are a union member through your union approved solicitors, who may represent you in a tribunal subject to whether your case is sound.  

    As well as considering a trade union, I would also contact Access to Work (NI). (Google it) which can provide help such ads funding for a support worker in your workplace and suggest reasonable adjustments for your employer to put in place.  Keep a copy of all your emails and a copy of your diagnosis report if you have one.  And make a note of all the ways you are affected by autism - stress, anxiety and depression and sensory overload in its many manifestations are the big ones in the workplace, although sociability or lack of is also an important one.

    You need not contact your employer about Access to Work as they will do it for you.  They have ways of persuasion!  And if your employer refuses this will give grounds for a grievance and ultimately a tribunal under not providing reasonable adjustments.

    I am a union equality rep by the way.

  • I am confused as I had to contact Access to Work, not my employer.  Access to bWork is free but the likes of Genius Within require their costs paid by Employer, employee or Access to Work (who need to have done a workplace assessment before Genius Within can be invoolved).

Reply
  • I am confused as I had to contact Access to Work, not my employer.  Access to bWork is free but the likes of Genius Within require their costs paid by Employer, employee or Access to Work (who need to have done a workplace assessment before Genius Within can be invoolved).

Children
No Data