What’s the hardest thing about your work environment?

I cannot imagine that open-plan office spaces, glass walls everywhere and hot desking is ideal for most allistic people either. Can making your employees feel uncomfortable lead to better outcomes for employers?

I saw a programme a few years ago about encouraging employers to employ autistic people for their skills. It seems that a lot of employers now are doing things to make things difficult for autistic employees. If it isn't hot desking it is changing jobs so we can rarely use our skills of attention to detail. 

I detested open office hot desking, I snatched their hands off when offered early retirement. I was working in a finance role in a big city library but the last few years were rubbish with frequent restructures and location changes. 

I worked in biomedical research in a university In 2006 we moved from an old building, with separate labs and small offices, to a new purpose-built building. This was a big retrograde step for my well-being. The lab space was open plan, one area opening onto others and the office space was also open plan, essentially tiers of 'shelves' (one for each floor- 5 floors) with desks opening onto a huge atrium space that went up the height of the building. It was like being in a goldfish bowl, with glass walls everywhere. It was also a hot-desking environment. I took to taking 15-20 minute breaks, either in the disabled toilets, on the stairs up to the roof (where no-one went) or in the plant space on the top floor (though this was noisy), just to escape the constant feeling of being overlooked and to retain my sanity. Thankfully, for the last eight years of my working life I had my own office, which allowed me to work through to a time when early retirement was feasible. 

Having to make some eye contact with customers or other people that I meet daily. Looking close to someone's face feels uncomfortable and too close especially if it's a stranger. Sometimes it feels like they are penetrating my soul with their gaze. I have very little to do with customers because I work in a warehouse of a hardware store, but sometimes when stocking shelves I get approached by a customer with a "short question" and they are unhappy when I inform them that I don't work in this department,  "pls, ask at info on the main aisle". Recently one lady shout at me, when she heard my accent (not native German) I asked her to make sure that she is looking for soil. We were in the department paints and wallpapers. So I thought that I misunderstood. It turned out I didn't. People are crazy. But it's me the one who is viewed as "wrong".

I could also list noise, but I won't because I'm allowed to wear my earbuds. It's only sometimes painful when I have to drive a trolley on the aisle in the store. I shouldn't cover my ears when I'm in the store. But in warehouse no problem. Sometimes I do cover in the store when the boss does not see it though. 

Rules that don’t make sense and ultimately waste time energy and productivity. And some of the people. Also the lights and sounds in the office (but I can avoid that mostly). In my current lab, I also find the safety procedures are not good which is a worry as well and it can really irritate me when I see unsafe procedures that potentially leave all of us exposed 

This is true. A lot of them probably don't realise they are neurodiverse yet either!!

Knowing what to reply to some people, what to say, how to act interested and motivated. Also trying to keep my mouth shut when I’m extremely frustrated by not being informed of expectations that everyone apparently seems aware of, just tell me directly what you expect!

Yes, definitely. I can relate. It’s hard to know what you’re supposed to say in some of these situations.

This sounds really stressful. Good luck for the tribunal - I hope it finds in your favour.

Yes, it’s hard to stay motivated when the tasks aren’t interesting to you. And moving jobs is tough, some places have accessible recruitment processes in place, but these aren’t widespread.

Absolutely, getting used to it is one thing but that doesn’t make it easy or pleasant. Fingers crossed there’s a way you might be able to make your role hybrid 

I relate to a lot of these too. I read yesterday that ND people often don’t realise how stressed they really are in their work environment, and that really hit home. I started wondering what it would be like to not be stressed like that every day

These are all difficult. That’s awful for your friend, such an invasion of privacy to be outed like that. I really hope there were consequences for whoever did that. 

Im retired for some years now but considering my last post these things particular stressed me:

Poor line mangers upwards, the being micro managed, or conversely being left floundering and overloaded without support. The office gossips who cruelly enjoyed spreading unverifiable rumours, and one in particular who outed an LGBTQ friend of mine. The high costs associated with working in the city centre, and the loneliness of working from home (it before pandemic when remote working was less common). 

Clutter, too many people, disorganised or stupid people (!!), breaking away into groups, shifting priorities, open plan spaces - how noise carries in these, not being given the complete picture about why I am being told to do something (expectations).

Too many people and open plan offices. I am somewhat used to it as most of my work history is in admin but it doesn't mean I enjoy it. To be honest I would prefer a hybrid job as it gives me a reprieve from dealing with people 5 days a week. 

I am fortunate, the environment now is quite good. Since covid there are fewer people.

It is a bit lonely sometimes, and other people's calls can be irritating.

But my main issue is boredom. I have stuff to do, but it doesn't interest me anymore. I know this is a minor issue compared to other's issues. Maybe I should move, but I know it would be hard. If I did more stuff outside work maybe it would matter less.

due to various disabilities my manager has refused me adjustments and got rid of me from the department. Now I am highly speciaised in my profession and there is zero chance of my skills matching to another role in the organisation. I now work from home in temporary placements but looks like it may end very soon as my tribunal is listed to be heard in a matter of weeks.

For me it's the emotional side of being a line manager. Listening to others' problems and health concerns every day can take a toll on me, and I need time to prepare and decompress after speaking with staff. I'm always worried I'll say the wrong thing so I spend a lot of time prepping conversations.