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Reasonable Adjustment in Work

Bozavine

I was wondering what people have asked for in terms of reasonable adjustments.

In my job, I sometimes need to run quite stressful meetings.  Most of the time I can mask quite well, but sometimes (and I never know why) I upset people.  I have asked as a reasonable adjustment that if I ever upset people in a meeting, that I am given an opportunity to apologise as upsetting people is never my intention.  I do understand that this can happen as I understand that 80% of communication is non verbal, and I don't understand those social queues (I was 46 when I learnt it is polite to nod your head as part of active listening :-) ).  I also have been told I am not good at controlling my tone of voice and volume in stressful meetings.

My employer is now saying quite bluntly that I must not upset people, and this is becoming a performance issue.  It has only happened twice in 18 months.

Sorry long story, but quite simply, what adjustments have people asked for in terms of supporting communication, or for when masking fails?

I see no attempt by my employer to understand Double Empathy problem - that is a dream 

Thanks

  • I can empathise with you on that one. My employer has been a real *** about my reasonable adjustment requests resulting in forced redeployment from my career of over 30 years.

    It is now with the union legal team about an employment tribunal. I have been belittled and treated as a stereotype in ways for them to justify the refusal of my adjustments.

    As for your situation have you disclosed to your management as it could be discriminatory to invoke capability / performance procedures if the reasons for their concern are related to your autism.

    I have been told when asking for support in dealing with staff I was managing that it down to me and unresolved communication differences.

    It seems employers fit in to two categories the first being supportive and the second being a ***.

  • My friend’s autistic and got his workplace to give him a subtle signal in meetings if his tone’s off. Also, shorter meetings help him manage stress and masking. Maybe try those? Good luck