• Replies 6 replies
  • Subscribers 84 subscribers
  • Views 849 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Autistic issues at work

Autistic-ally

Hello all, 

The help I require today is work-related. 

Had my monthly review (this review is less formal than my yearly review), but still important and its basically reviewing emails, phone calls i make etc (same for all staff on my team). 

I had some criticism, I was told that my tone is not professional on the phones and too friendly, (they said although customers love my tone) not all will and it doesn't fit in with business expectations. They said we have told you three times, so you are either not listening or not understanding. And if I'm being honest, i don't understand. 

Being autistic, I just thought my tone was fine. Clients leave happy (barring some who aren't angry at me), so what works - I continue. 

Naturally, i spent all of Friday and the weekend having a cry and a worry as is me. Does any one have any advice on this either how to sound more professional, or how to communicate with the team that im struggling to grasp what they need from me, as i naturally cant communicate clearly what i mean. 

Kind Regards, 

  • I've met many unsympathetic employers over 35 plus years of working & have also experienced discrimination (not regards to my possible autism). I now work for an employer that treats me equally as bad as everyone else. Although I've been open & honest about my health related issues & up to now I've been more reliable at work than most over the last 15 years that I've worked for this company. 

    Within my earlier years of employment, I left around 3 jobs, rather than ask for help & admit to them that I had an unseen to them, disability. Looking back it was due to my male pride & worrying about if people would accept me or not. I was also struggling to come to terms with my health related issue at the time. Which seemed to be compounding my issues, too. 

    If I were wanting to stay with your current employer (I've left plenty within the past), I'd be open & honest with them, disclose the fact that you have autism & that you may require some extra support. If you do go down this route, make sure that you record what was said within your meetings & preferably take someone in with you that you could trust, if possible. 

    It sounds to me that you have a good work ethic & you are trying to do your best. 

  • I'm really sorry your employer upset you like this. The corporate world is not really kind to autistic people unfortunately - we just have to try and make the best of it.

    Can I ask whether you have disclosed your diagnosis to your employer? If so then assuming you're in the UK like I am, you are protected under the Equality Act. Your employer has a legal obligation to make 'reasonable adjustments' to help you carry out your role effectively. There are NAS resources that explain this in more detail, but it might be worth reminding your employer that you need precise, specific instructions in your performance reviews. They need to realise that you're not doing this out of laziness or carelessness, but simply a lack of understanding. Good luck!

  • in reply to JuniperFromGallifrey

    Thank you! both replies are really helpful for this. I really appreciate it! :) 

  • It sounds as though they don't understand what Autism is. Explain that you are not telepathic and that if they have specific expectations, you'll need detailed instruction. You could politely ask they explain it to you "like I'm 5". A NT would be offended, which is why they don't 'spell it out in detail'. But being Autistic, we tend to be illiterate with subtext. Ask for the psychology behind the issue. This will give a more grounded understanding which you'll be able to recollect better. 

  • in reply to Catlover

    Dear Catlover, 

    Thank you for your reply. 

    Not 'chatting' actually makes a lot of sense, I shall have a think over that in the coming few weeks when taking calls. I appreciate your response. 

    Have a great day! :) 

  • Firstly, a happy customer is good for the business! But I suppose it depends on what the nature of your job is. My only recommendation is that you pull back a little. Perhaps don’t ask too many questions? That is if you do! Maybe don’t ‘chat’, but keep to the point without being disrespectful. You really can’t please everyone, can you!

    If you are able, speak to your manager and explain that you need specific instructions on what to do, and not to do, what to say, and what things to avoid. Explain that autism means some people do not have the ability to notice issues with peoples tone including your own. You might need to request an a workplace assessment, which might help you and the people,you work with.