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I need advice please

NAS82286

Hello-

I have just been diagnosed about a month ago. 

I am a teacher and have been for 22 years, and I now work in SEND a job which I love.

I have not been to whole school assembly for over 8 years, as it makes me so anxious, and I understand now I have sensory overwhelm, and so instead I stay with the pupils who are in a similar position to myself, as it is a reasonable adjustment for them not to attend. 

I have recently been told I HAVE to go to assembly by the Deputy Head. This has caused me so much worry and anxiety that I have not been sleeping well and I am feeling very anxious. 

HR will not help me, and I don't know what to do. If I have a diagnosis- can he force me to go?

I have been in contact with me union as well, but I wanted to ask advice too. 

Thank you,

Rachel 

  • in reply to Ian

    Whilst the above is all sensible advice I do think that if this can be resolved in a more friendly and informal way that would be better as it will lead to more harmonious working relationships once it’s resolved. Try and use ‘soft power’ first if you can! And if it doesn’t work - then take it further. 

  • As you have a diagnosis your employer should be making reasonable adjustments for you. It’s kind of shocking that as a teacher he isn’t more understanding about Autism! He needs educating! Joy
    Your union can obviously give you the proper advice on your rights in the workplace - but in an ideal world you should be able to have an informal conversation with the Deputy Head and resolve this in a more friendly way. Why can’t he accommodate you in this way? It would be very interesting to know his reasons. It strikes me you are doing something very valuable in supporting the pupils who aren’t in the assembly. Schools should highly value autistic staff as they have such great insight into autistic pupils and pupils with other SEN - so  you are an asset and he should recognise that and be supportive. If he doesn’t support autistic staff well then how on Earth does he treat autistic pupils?! 
    I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this - good luck. 

  • If your deputy head is not cooperating, have you been to the Head/Principal/Executive Head (as applicable) and raised it as a disability accommodation?  Was it discussed at your last appraisal?   If you have exhausted the polite discussion, presumably there is a grievance procedure which you can follow, possibly involving the governors. Your union rep should be able to advise. Your union may also offer a legal advice service where you can discuss legal issues with a lawyer. You may have to threaten to take the matter to a tribunal.

  • The deputy head sounds a mean person and probably likes the power. Remind him/her of your diagnosis and that by law they have to allow these adjustments and also as there are kids in a similar situation who can't attend you need to sit with them anyway. If the deputy keeps on then tell the head teacher and explain about it I'm sure they will be more understanding. My sister is a teacher and when she was having issues she went to the teachers union and they helped her so you could try that as well ^^

  • it's a really tough question. I hope that you will be helped to solve this

  • They have to make reasonable adjustments under the law. If there is another job for you to do instead at that time, with kids who likewise struggle to be in that environment, I'd say that's not only reasonable, but a good use of your time and skill.

    Hope the union produce results for you.

  • Hi sorry to hear what are going through 

    employers have to make reasonable adjustments for their employers if they have a disability or mental health issue if it prevents them doing their job

    under discrimination act autism does come under a disability 

    If they make this adjustment for the pupils as a reasonable adjustment then they should for you too 

    the fact that your HR doesn’t want to help you but if a red flag as that’s their job 

    you could put that forward but you would have to argue how / why it affects your job

    argue maybe the anxiety / sensory overload will affect the quality of job ? As it affects your well-being 

    shocking really that show so little care and understandind

    i mean what does it matter if you attend the assembly really to put you through all they distress! 

    wish you all the best 

    you also try citizens advice for free too