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Work complaint

Karen001

I was diagnosed autistic last year and have been in the same job for 10 years this year.  I work in the NHS and it was actually my team leader who spotted my autistic traits and suggested i get tested, one of the things he picked up on was my communication problems. I was recently made aware of an anonymous complaint regarding my attitude when dealing with people on the phone, I come across as abrupt and combative, other descriptions were used which I can't remember now.  How do I deal with this? I can't stop being autistic, I struggle with stuff like this as I don't pick up on tone of voice very well, I don't pick up on it with myself or with others.  I'm supposed to be having a meeting about it when I go back to work next week, I have asked for union support and am waiting to hear about this.  Any suggestions? 

Parents

  • Yes indeed you need union support. How essential is the phone to your work?

    No, you can't not be autistic? So, everyone needs to think outside the box at this point. We can learn NT communication needs but it's exhausting. They could support you to do this, but it might be that phone work isn't the best use of your talents. Are there other roles that would make better use of your strengths. 

    On the plus side, it's great it was your employer who spotted your autism, I hope that means they'll now want to help you into a place that suits both you and them.

Reply

  • Yes indeed you need union support. How essential is the phone to your work?

    No, you can't not be autistic? So, everyone needs to think outside the box at this point. We can learn NT communication needs but it's exhausting. They could support you to do this, but it might be that phone work isn't the best use of your talents. Are there other roles that would make better use of your strengths. 

    On the plus side, it's great it was your employer who spotted your autism, I hope that means they'll now want to help you into a place that suits both you and them.

Children
  • in reply to Dawn

    We all use the phone as the main method of communication, so I'm stuck with it, I don't think I'd be allowed to not use it as I'm the only one that does my job in the office.  I'm OK generally, it's just when I'm maybe dealing with what I would class as silly queries I would expect experienced staff to know the answer too, or when I'm getting overwhelmed, or things are on my mind