Workplace troubles- could really use some advice

It was suggested that I have Aspergers after attending a psychiactric appt for another issue. An initial assesment was done and Im now on the waiting list for a formal diagnosis..

At work Ive been constantly in trouble for saying the wrong things to clients, seeming to be cold or rude or unhelpfull and generally not properly doing some parts of my job (i work in a call centre) .. despite this - im generally good at the telephone part of my job - especially when it comes to speaking languages (although ive realised im usually just mimicing sound patterns and most of the time i dont completely understand what im saying) I seem to fail at the more social / interraction aspects of it..

As soon as the initial diagnosis was made I spoke with my HR Manager- who was less than understanding.. Id already done my own research and realised myself that I get stuck understanding abstract language and indirect instructions ..i also hate loud noises, crowds and need alone time at breaks etc ..

I explained exactly what the condition was and why the Psych thought i might have it and explained that it explained a lot of the behaviours i exhibit.

I  asked if my team leader could just be more direct when speaking to me, use email wherever possible and if my interraction with clients could be limited until i had a formal diagnosis and clear ideas of what help / changes i might need -if any  ..

HR basically complained that there was always something wrong with me and didnt agree to anything ..

Ive now been put on a disciplinary for things like '' being unhelpfull and unapproachable', not behaving the right way on a client meeting and generally '' not doing my job properly'' .. I have a meeting on Friday and have no idea how I go about dealing with things -especially since i find expressing feelings and explaining things out loud really hard .. theres a good chance Im going to loose my job and the whole thing seems like Im being singled out

 im wondering if anyone esle has experienced this and can offer any advice?

Parents
  • I can understand why your employee said that being autistic doesn't affect him at work. He is very capable of the work itself but, like many of us, meets problems when interacting with co-workers.

    We use language very literally and often find that non-autistic people speak in a confusing and imprecise way that means we don't know what they want of us. Or they ask for one thing and actually want something else. Could he be given work by email in a standardised way so that he doesn't need to speak to others more than he wants?

    In my job I find it helps to know I can go back later to clarify something if the person has not given me enough information or been detailed enough in their request. Would he feel happy doing that?

    And thank you for being so supportive of him.

Reply
  • I can understand why your employee said that being autistic doesn't affect him at work. He is very capable of the work itself but, like many of us, meets problems when interacting with co-workers.

    We use language very literally and often find that non-autistic people speak in a confusing and imprecise way that means we don't know what they want of us. Or they ask for one thing and actually want something else. Could he be given work by email in a standardised way so that he doesn't need to speak to others more than he wants?

    In my job I find it helps to know I can go back later to clarify something if the person has not given me enough information or been detailed enough in their request. Would he feel happy doing that?

    And thank you for being so supportive of him.

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