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Opening up about autism at work

Squid

Hi everyone 

I'm new here. I'm currently off work for a couple of months due to general mental health issues. Part of this is that I'm just starting to work through that I'm likely autistic. I've been referred for an assessment by my GP (which will take months to begin) but I know myself really well and I think it's extremely likely that the assessment will say I'm autistic. I've felt that I might be for years but have never built up the strength to do anything about it.

I work in a job/role that really isn't that compatible to my autistic traits but I've masked so long and so well that no one would really know how deeply uncomfortable and distressing it is to me on a day to day basis. This period off work feels like the culmination of me trying to cope for years and years and finally getting to my limit.

I'm really keen that this is a turning point for me where I'm really open with my work about things because this feels like a huge opportunity for me to change my life for the better by finally just being open and honest. But this is also terrifying me and I keep getting stuck on the "but they "know" me as this person so how can I then be like, actually that isn't really me, I've just been incredibly good at masking for a long time" thought pattern.

I'd love to hear anyone's experience of this kind of thing or tips on how to approach it cos at the moment I'm trying to make my way through it without a clue what I'm doing or what I could do.

Thank you Heart️ 

Parents

  • I will say this honestly as it is my own lived experience:

    Be very very careful about disclosing unless you really are struggling with aspects of your work. 

    Iain said:
    Ask work to adapt to your needs. I have honestly only heard of one or two cases this was done well - most companies either ignore it or try to push you out as you are now seen as a bit of a liability.

     That has been my experience. I was so relieved when I was diagnosed as 'struggles' I had over my working life now had a cause. I naively thought 'the law is on my side' and asked for reasonable adjustments. What happened was I was refused and removed from my post and my career. Now I am in the very expensive process of an employment tribunal for disability discrimination.

    Iain said:
    At work, keep everything in writing as there is always a reasonable risk that they will discriminate against you, so if you can supply evidence of emails where they promised something and never delivered or similar then you can build up a decent claim

    That is the best advice. I have absolutely everything including transcripts from online meetings (which was agreed beforehand to be recorded) I believe I have gathered so much evidence showing discrimination going back over 5 years.

    The one good thing is that at tribunal they are not disputing my disabilities.

    Going to tribunal has a drawback in that it will be in the public domain via govt website. I am conflicted over this as I am a very private person but also feel that whoa be tide them and there deserve every bit of bad publicity they might get.

    However, apart from all the other negatives is the not knowing what the result will be. For an autist that is torture where I need a semblance of certainty to maintain my regulation.

    I am 'lucky' if you can say that being in my fifties that I could cope with no job and just 'retire' if I get a payout. 

Reply

  • I will say this honestly as it is my own lived experience:

    Be very very careful about disclosing unless you really are struggling with aspects of your work. 

    Iain said:
    Ask work to adapt to your needs. I have honestly only heard of one or two cases this was done well - most companies either ignore it or try to push you out as you are now seen as a bit of a liability.

     That has been my experience. I was so relieved when I was diagnosed as 'struggles' I had over my working life now had a cause. I naively thought 'the law is on my side' and asked for reasonable adjustments. What happened was I was refused and removed from my post and my career. Now I am in the very expensive process of an employment tribunal for disability discrimination.

    Iain said:
    At work, keep everything in writing as there is always a reasonable risk that they will discriminate against you, so if you can supply evidence of emails where they promised something and never delivered or similar then you can build up a decent claim

    That is the best advice. I have absolutely everything including transcripts from online meetings (which was agreed beforehand to be recorded) I believe I have gathered so much evidence showing discrimination going back over 5 years.

    The one good thing is that at tribunal they are not disputing my disabilities.

    Going to tribunal has a drawback in that it will be in the public domain via govt website. I am conflicted over this as I am a very private person but also feel that whoa be tide them and there deserve every bit of bad publicity they might get.

    However, apart from all the other negatives is the not knowing what the result will be. For an autist that is torture where I need a semblance of certainty to maintain my regulation.

    I am 'lucky' if you can say that being in my fifties that I could cope with no job and just 'retire' if I get a payout. 

Children
  • in reply to Mr T

      You have been through a lot, my fingers are crossed for you for your tribunal! (More for the nerves, as it sounds like you've been dilgent with your evidence collection.) I am glad you are standing up against those who discriminate. Although I am sad for your experience, you are paving the way those that come after, by showing companies they can't push people out.