Published on 12, July, 2020
At work I have felt that I have been doing everything well and I thought that there was no issue with the way I have been doing things.
However, today I have been given an 'informal' supportive action plan, thankfully it's not a disciplinary process, but I was taken back by it and feel that my supervisor has no idea how to deal with a person with Autism.
I have a Workplace Needs Assessment meeting in a couple of weeks but they are putting me on this 3 month plan as of next Monday.
I tried to argue it, but this is happening anyway.
I really like my job, I really thought I was doing well, but it appears that I am not.
From the way they are speaking and what they are asking they have no idea about Autism, and I am not sure they are willing to learn about it or try to understand what makes me different.
I have recently moved teams from another area within the same organisation and nothing was flagged up there in the 18 months I worked there and I have not changed how I operate.
I don't want to lose my job.
Can anyone help me?
To put you on a supported improvement plan could be discrimination. Have they considered all reasonable adjustments and given them time to see if they are successful?
Please do read up on the equality act so that you can be prepared for whatever they try. Do you have a union? If so speak to them for advice.
Being in a similar situation I understand what is happening. Get everything in writing even if it is in email. Even write an email to yourself as that can provide valuable evidence if things go sour.
I agree, always get things down in writing. Even meeting notes where you asked for the workplace needs assessment to take precedence, and they think it’s ok to implement an informal supportive plan. If it’s not in the notes request it to be put into it. Sadly I didn’t get any meeting notes amended and it made it out I agreed to these things. But collect your emails as well as work related meetings you had ie performance review or even project or work chats, where they had opportunity to discuss their feelings. Like you say nothing has been said before.