Published on 12, July, 2020
Just wondering is there any point declaring your autism at work? Would be interested to hear people's experiences
I declared mine before starting a job for the first time ever with my new job. I thought it would help but I'm not sure it has. I feel like my bosses treat me with more understanding which is a good thing but everything else is the same or worse
I had an Occupational Health Assesment where I said what my reasonable adjustments needed to be. The main one was having a regular timetable that didnt change without warning
2 weeks into the job and I am still the only teaching assistant in the college without a timetable. My boss said to me "You can design your own timetable" since she knows I need one. In a new job, where I know none of the classes or students. Also, the only way to do this is to use software systems that I have never used before and havn't been shown how to use, even though I am supposed to have been trained on them. She also sent me a email notification to have a 1-2-1 meeting with me at the end of the day with no message attached to explain what the meeting was about or any warning that it was going to happen. Yet she writes blogs on autism for the organisation's website so I dont understand how she doesnt understand these things.
Everyone's telling me different things today in the office. Different people from different departments are coming up to me telling me totally contradictory things about what I am supposed to be doing till the end of term, there's no communication and it seems even more confusing than my previous jobs.
Makes me wonder what the point of disclosing my autism was
First of all I'm surprised they're saying you can make your own timetable when others have them given. If you haven't asked for this as a reasonable adjustment and it's making you feel uncomfortably different from others it should be noted (I do know how difficult this is though). Hopefully you get one soon anyway.
Try to make sure everything is in writing in an email. For example if someone books a 1-2-1 with you ask in an email if there's an agenda so you can be best prepared for the meeting. It's worth spending time on getting things right now which will benefit you, them and the students in the long run.
I'm coming at this from a slightly defensive point of view mind so apologies if unhelpful to you. I disclosed my recent diagnosis to my employer a few weeks ago and it has been less than plain sailing to say the least. I understand how difficult it can be to articulate and negotiate and explain and sometimes they just don't get it. I have a trade union equality rep assisting me now with negotiations for the very minor adjustments I'm requesting temporarily until OH assessment. The reps are often good to have in the background just for advice too.
All the best with it anyway.
Thanks for your advice. No I havnt requested to do my own timetable, quite the opposite I find it very stressful as Im not very good with computer systems
So now I am the only LSA in the college without a timetable even though I am the only one who has an OH assessment saying I need one. You couldn't make it up. Im really wondering what the point of getting an OH assessment was if they're going to ignore it. Do you know if there's a way to see your OH assessment? I havnt actually seen mine, it just got sent to the college
Yes, they absolutely should send you a copy directly. Email the person/service who assessed you and ask for a copy.
I'm wishing I hadn't disclosed my diagnosis at the moment. I got a written warning when I disclosed to my boss (now overturned). It was the 3rd time he'd acted very unreasonably upon information I'd given him so I requested a new manager. New manager now talks to me like I'm 6 since she found out I'm autistic.
You're right..though, .you couldn't make it up! The question is whether it's well intentioned ignorance or designed to belittle or disadvantage you in some way.
The equality rep for my union explained it well for me (I hope I'm using similarly correct words in the right order): The legislation is there to protect against being treated unfavourably because of disability and to address any disadvantages you might face because of your disability. You want to be treated differently to help put you on a level playing field with colleagues, e.g. being warned of possible timetable changes, having instructions written down, having minutes/notes of meetings sent to you in writing if helpful (in case like me your mind wanders during meetings or you forget things). However, if the different treatment puts you at a disadvantage compared to colleagues then that's discrimination (even if it's well intended).
Try to put your concerns in an email to them. If you find that difficult as I did, get help from a union (UCU?). There may be charities who might help too but I wouldn't know which ones.
Good luck!