Published on 12, July, 2020
My employer is very unhappy that I have insisted on not being discriminated against at work for being Autistic.
I have been told by my union that I may get sacked because I have raised grievances which were upheld...I am a 'problem' for the employer.
I have a 100% positive record at work - no discriplinary action either formally or informaly. I am one of the best employees in my dept as shown by the data they produce about us. Despite the way I have been treated / discriminated against I still work to the best of my ability every siingle day. I often take on some extra work as I am capable of finishing mine early.
It would be "unfair dismissal" and I have union support, so I am fortunate in that respect.
I will fight my corner - I will not accept being sacked because I have stood up for myself.
It's good you have union support. Well done for defending your self. I wish you well.
Been using email for everything for over a year.
Not in this case. Union are very much in my corner. Tons of written evidence.
Failed reasonable adjustments on the whole, plus some unpleasant disability related comments.
Do you mind me asking what discrimination you experienced?
I shared my diagnosis with my last employer and team. I was bullied by my manager and hoped I would get better protection after diagnosis. That didn't happen I then was looked at through what felt like a magnifying glass. It was a social work team as well we supported adults with disabilities. Awful experience regretted sharing.
Since moving away I have got new employment and have not shared my diagnosis. I sometimes wish I could at times when I realise I am really not fitting in with the team. I avoid social events and try to work away from the office as much as I can. I did try to be socialable initially but as usual that went badly. Getting misunderstood and not reading the room.taking things literally etc.
Now I think the team hate me overstated perhaps but feel disliked and lonely at work as usual.
I love working with my clients though. People with disabilities. They appreciate my empathy with them I think and I fight for them to be heard respected and supported the best I can.
I needed support from mental health services though myself to be able to carry on with the work. For anxiety. The prescription is amazing and I wish I had got it sooner. But I have it now thanks God.
It may be wise to formally ask for your requests via email, and ask that they answer by email. A friend of mine (not autistic) won a constructive dismissal case via evidence in emails.
Very often in some sectors, trade unions will back up abusive employers against employees in clear cases of victimisation and will in the end find against the employee, especially if there is any leverage or influence that abusive employers can use with the trade Union - Labour’s plans to give more power to trade unions may sound like a good thing on the surface but for some workers in some workplaces, it might turn out to be a bad thing
Yep - apparently it is something they have done to others in the company though. It's not 100% likely to happen, but there is a worrying chance.
I get on well with my line manager personally, despite our professional disagreemets over reasonable adjustments, and he rates me as a very good member of the team. This has been stated by him and HR in meetings with union present. They have no valid reason for ending my contract.
If it does happen, then the union are 100% behind me in taking it futher.
There are currently laws that should protect you, now that you have a diagnosis. Anything they do now would likely be constructive dismissal which your union should be able to advise you about. They should be able to advise you about the employer's legal responsibilities too. Good luck!