Coming out at work and getting support?

Check out the framework for reasonable adjustments from Brett Heasman, the autism researcher here, there is a link to a long and helpful list of reasonable adjustment and a structured approach to determining them. You would be better of figuring out for yourself what you need and then contacting Access to Work. https://ndsa.uk/content/reasonable-adjustments/

An employer is obliged to make adjustments for disability, but it is often difficult to know the adjustments needed.  And a common response by an employer would be to insist that the particular employee is not disabled under the equality act.

As stated by others, Access to Work can be a great help.  They can arrange for training for staff, a support worker, and suggest adjustments to the workplace (screening, position of workstation, quieter area, frequent breaks, etc).  It is as well to remember that adjustments are open ended, once given they can be added to as they are found to be necessary.

A support worker can help by visiting you in the workplace and seeing how you are getting on, acting as an intermediary between you and your employer/ manager. Mine has been very useful.

I would also google "Proving disability and reasonable adjustments" which should take you to an Equality and Human Rights Commission publication that you can download.  It is full of useful information including a section on Autism as well as more general advice.  I would post a link but my tablet won't let me paste. ( There is also a version of the same publication is also published by Unison and downloadable, no membership needed.). It is free.

I know how difficult it can be to come out, but this is up to you with your manager.  It may be as well to understand that it should be confidential between you and what managers you choose to tell but it can lead to misunderstandings when a manager is not aware, and there would be some things that your manager should be aware of.  In an ideal world it should not be something you ought to be afraid of but there can be repercussions which require a strong constitution to fight all the way whatever the rights and wrongs or whether you would eventually win.

yea try Access to Work yourself first. Be careful with HR, in my case all they wanted to know was " Are we legally responsible". They really werent interested on how they could improve things for me ( I drove that by asking for a set of headphones - which my manager approved). HR never followed up on how I am getting on in my department or anything like that.  My performance mark was lowered because I caused such a fuss.  But I was raised by my autistic mum to stand and fight  . Best mum ever .

Most, 99% of NeuroTypical people, can not understand how autistic people feel or think.

HR and Occupational Health act in the interest of the employer. You are much better off contacting Access to Work yourself and retaining control of the process. 

Yes! It was access to work who organised the support. Do I just contact them or should my work make the contact?

I said that I work in the public sector but it's the NHS so I have things like an occupational health department and HR but they don't seem to actually do much. Should I contact them first and get them to get access to work involved or do I need to do it on my own? I'm in Scotland if that helps?

I work in public sector and as soon as I told them of my diagnosis I was treated a bit better.  They paid for an assessment and bought me headphones and had my hearing checked. This is the toughest question of all who do I tell at work ? there is no right answer.

I told HR and my line manager saying, for now ,I didnt want my work colleagues to know.   I was 7 years in the job at the time. One year later I feel more comfortable but I still havent told my work colleagues because I dont think they would care / understand.  

I tried Access to Work where I live and got no response but try them in your area. Its good to  have someone else to explain some of your issues in manager speak. You have a disability and your employer should give to Equity in your work position.

If you are excluded from meetings that is really bad management / way to run anything.  Keep mentioning that in all dialogues with say HR and access to work. I kept doing that,,,  I would email the manager one level up asking why I was excluded !  There is no defense against bad inclusive policy.  Having bad hearing of course doesnt help so try to use IM as much as possble in fact ask for Microsoft Teams to be introduced or Skype. 

Also see if there is a local NAS office and drop in to see them about what services they know about in your area.

Temple Grandin, she states "you must not use autism as an excuse" keep that in mind  at all times. I do. 

One thing thats useful to know --- u dont need proof of your autism u only need to think you are ( under the law ). But independent evidence just makes it clearer for everyone. Research the law in your area ie the law differs in scotland vs england etc

Believe in yourself if you dont want to be out ......go with that for a while/forever. Make a list of things that would make it better for u in work and talk them through with the senior manager who wants you to be out then review how you feel He/she seems to be a good sort, but in the end he could leave, so you always have to stand on your own feet. Always.

Do not be afraid life is weird because no one can predict their future so get back to work and hold your head high.

Show them what you can do. 

Go for it !

what have you got to lose ? 

You need to get in touch with Access to Work. They are brilliant and are exactly the organisation that provide the support worker and all the stuff that was useful for you before. They actually do the assessment of your needs.

Great question - I'm in the same boat and will be watching this thread with interest. Heartening to know you've had support in previous jobs, it all sounds very practical.