Overwhelmed working full time

I currently work full time, and my job is stressful. I find working 5 days a week really draining, and if I ever do anything at the weekends then it has ramifications for my energy the week after; taking a long time to get back into a good routine. I love my job - I work in a museum (a special interest for me) and I have worked hard to get where I am. I can't afford to go to part-time.

I have spoken to my manager about my workload, and we have set up weekly catch up sessions so that I know what it is that I've got to do, and enable her to support me with things that I struggle with, just as telephone calls. What I don't know, however, is what the line is. By that I mean, how much help can I ask for?

Does anyone have experience of asking for accommodations at work? How much help is too much help? What kind of accommodations has anyone asked for - especially in relation to executive function, and task management?

More than anything I would just like to find other autistic people who are going through the same thing. I know that I am lucky to be able to work full time (even if I am struggling), but it would be nice to have some people to talk through it with!

Thanks,

Parents

Tinyexplorer over 5 years ago

My personal experience from a few years ago is not good. Employers refusing accommodations or even starting procedures is not unusual. Don't go all legal as NAS is suggesting.

The first this is to think very carefully and articulate in what way you are still qualified for the job with reasonable adjustments, in that youcan do it but in a different way.

Have a read here https://ndsa.uk/content/employment/#Autism%20as%20a%20disability

Then consider what adjustments are best for accommodating that different way.

It is always best to start your list of reasonable adjustments with relying as much as possible on normal mainstream business practice. For example having regular planning meetings with your manager and going through all projects, their status, timings and priorities. Having calendars, lists, schedules, working on the basis of written instructions, emails so you could track the specifics better... basically present your need as a goof business practice.

Personally my best experience in corporate world was with regular frequent meetings with my manager to clarify priorities. It really alleviated anxiety, clleared misunderstandings, and clarified timings and expectations.

Hope this helps

Reply

Tinyexplorer over 5 years ago

My personal experience from a few years ago is not good. Employers refusing accommodations or even starting procedures is not unusual. Don't go all legal as NAS is suggesting.

The first this is to think very carefully and articulate in what way you are still qualified for the job with reasonable adjustments, in that youcan do it but in a different way.

Have a read here https://ndsa.uk/content/employment/#Autism%20as%20a%20disability

Then consider what adjustments are best for accommodating that different way.

It is always best to start your list of reasonable adjustments with relying as much as possible on normal mainstream business practice. For example having regular planning meetings with your manager and going through all projects, their status, timings and priorities. Having calendars, lists, schedules, working on the basis of written instructions, emails so you could track the specifics better... basically present your need as a goof business practice.

Personally my best experience in corporate world was with regular frequent meetings with my manager to clarify priorities. It really alleviated anxiety, clleared misunderstandings, and clarified timings and expectations.

Hope this helps

Children

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