Have you any experience of requesting reasonable adjustments in the workplace?

Dear community,

I work in the corporate environment, in a global field-based and remote setting with occasional travel to HQ, and to external meetings. I am very fortunate to work remotely, as this is my greatest comfort level for sustaining my health and wellbeing at work. In the past when I have been asking for specific equipment (like noise cancelling headphones to use for business travel, conferences and in-office days) I experienced being viewed as a bit "extra" or preferring fancier equipment than the standard. I have also lost out on employment because I disclosed autism during the interview process, and have had countless managers inform me that I need to work harder, have had my reasonable adjustment requests ingnored, and I've been informed that I am not like the others they work with and have endured performance reviews, micromanagement and extended probation periods. This historical experience is traumatic to say the least, and so it is with trepidation that I will open the discussion on reasonable adjustments, but nonetheless with the recognition that this difficult conversation will actually make or break my success in this company.

I started afresh with a new company this week, and I already see that the headphones I have been provided with are not noise cancelling ones, and the mobile phone I will be provided with is not a handset I am familiar with, and unfortunately the phone will be an additional time challenge for me when I work in a fast-paced and mid-senior level. I would like to request to continue to use my own mobile phone (as I can navigate it easily and quickly) and I would like to request noise cancelling headphones. These are just two examples of equipment adjustments that I would view as being reasonable adjustments that would be vital for my success.

Therefore, if anyone has any experience of negotiating their reasonable adjustments requests, I would like to learn some best practice on how this can be approached and learn from any success stories.

Thanks so much in advance,

Phoenixboy over 3 years ago

I've made some work based adjustments of sorts within the past, but not with regards to my possible autism.

I have some other physicality based issues, decided to go relief (my choice), instead of a permanent contract, so I then could choose where I worked, rather than having to continually climb stairs within my current workplace. A stair lift etc just wasn't practical. I've worked within the same company now for over 15 years, so I'm very committed within what I do. I'm also mainly a lone worker now, as I struggle to work within groups or within a close team.

Saying that I'm office based tomorrow, receiving a 7 hour training session within a large group of people, really not looking forward to it, to a point that I really don't want to go, but I'll force myself, no doubt. I've worked throughout Covid (my choice), could have took furlough, but decided against it. So for around the last 2 years all my work based training was done online, which I enjoyed. As I don't have an official autism diagnosis as yet, may take up to 3 years to receive my assessment (within the pipeline), I can't really ask for a reasonable adjustment, as would much rather do my training online if at all possible.
Mnemo over 3 years ago

There are companies out there with a "Bring your own device" Policy, sometimes its subsidised sometimes its not. I work as a Software Developer and we can be a bit of an odd crowd without the autism.

I've purchased or brought to work my own kit. keyboard, mouse, headsets, mouse pads, laptops, computers and screens. I've even seen colleagues bring in their own desk chairs.

You are a person not a drone, and we all like to be a little individual. At a mid-senior level within a company you should be more free to invest in your own success in the workplace, so ask for it, but just be willing to front the expense.
NAS90609 over 3 years ago

I know someone who has had to deal with the issues you're describing...

First point would be to see if there's anything in your employment contract about this. Outside of that there doesn't seem like there is a standard from one company to the next.

I can't tell from your post if you've told your new employer you are autistic - that's none of my business - but if you haven't, then from their perspective - if the first time they hear about it is tied to a request for new/different/non standard kit just after you've started with them - that might make for a more challenging and less positive start to your new job.

If it's an option - you could agree with your employer that you'll buy or supply your own kit where necessary. People always bristle at that idea but it's an investment in your own well-being.

I don't want to point out stuff you might already know - but often companies resistance to buying non standard IT kit or letting employees use their own e.g. phones, computers, etc. comes down to a long list of security issues, maintenance contract T&Cs, client agreements, insurance restrictions, etc. and sometimes companies just don't want to go there.

One possible tip - if there is an IT contact, get to know someone there that seems reasonable and talk to them about it once you're settled in at the new role. Often requests that come from the department responsible will get through where requests that come from employees wont, sometimes they have their own budget authority and can make the purchase directly and sometimes there's a box on a shelf with just the right piece of kit in it.

Good luck - I hope some of that is helpful.