NAS- Zero Hour Contracts, 'encouraged' for those on the spectrum... did anyone think this through?

I have, I was refering to the posts within Cornwall however. Its confusing to be told there's other fixed contracts in the area when there isn't.

I just did a search on the job pages of this site and found that there are indeed support roles with a choice of working patterns. Has the OP seen these?

https://nas.recruitment.northgatearinso.com/n2rl/pages/vacancy.jsf?search=0

e.g. 

"Support Worker - North Somerset ... 

Hours of work

Full-time (40 hours/week), Part time and Bank work (zero hours) available. The role includes shift work and some sleep-ins"

Is there a danger of tarring all HR people with the same brush? They are just as human and variable as anyone else. The point for me is that the NAS offers all roles to people on the spectrum and guarantees disabled people an interview if they are qualified. Some roles will not suit some people with ASD but that doesn't mean that the job can't be offered at all. Some work will arise from sufferers having crises or from other staff being unable to cover so it makes sense to use zero hours in the mix of working patterns. If they only offered zero hours contracts, and didn't offer the flexibility to decline work when it doesn't suit, then there would be a problem.

I don't think that this role has been designed to suit autistic people, it is probably designed to provide support for people with autism and if an autistic person can be found to do the job then that is what they would prefer. The NAS exists to provide services for autistic people and their needs will not be well met by people who can't respond flexibly in a crisis. Some autistic people will be able to do this role and that should be welcomed.

However my comment was directed at HR for an answer so irrelevant to the original concern.

In my experience HR are the last people to get equality training because (apparently) it is part of the job, so they don't need the training.

I recall a staff wellbeing officer, employed by the HR team where I worked, saying she wouldn't employ people on the autistic spectrum because a person with autism at the place her friend worked at some years before had touched someone up, and on the basis of that one incident she felt duty bound to exclude all autistic people.

I also recall a former head of HR where I worked who, during a stoppage over unfair treatment of colleagues, went to the picket line shouting abuse at the protesters, and stirring it up. It was clear who she worked for.

The reply from the NAS Recruitment Manager didn't have any relevance to the question. It was just HR speak.

The job advert offers flexibility on both sides "there is no obligation for bank workers to accept any offer of work with us".

So, if you were unemployed and would have struggled to muster the enthusiasm or courage to get to work on a regular basis then an offer of some work without obligation might be a good step up from being totally unemployed.

It clearly isn't suitable for all ASD people but I do think they can find someone from among us who will find the flexibility that it offers to be a benefit.

The problem with zero hours contracts is for people who are not given the flexibility to refuse work when it doesn't suit tham. If there is flexibility on both sides then I can understand that some people would find it to be ideal way of working - less pressure but more opportunity than sitting on the dole and waiting for that perfect job.

Longman beat me to it.

While I personally disagree (strongly oppose) zero hour contracts, I do accept and understand that there are people who are better suited to such things.

My issue is (as Longman said) with the job description apparently directed at those on the autistic spectrum.

As others have already said, flexibility and autism do not mix. Not for a career at least.

Ideally I would like someone to review the original post and explain why they feel the statement 'encouraging those on the autistic spectrum to apply' is appropriate on a zero hours contract.

Furthermore, there are no 'fixed' contracts available anywhere in the local (and not so local) area. There are no numbers to call on the website for someone on the spectrum to enquire more about the job posted (should they feel up to it), and overall it just seems like the statement was thrown in to the job description to give the impression that the charity is 'inclusive'.

Again, the fact that this is a charity for those on the autistic spectrum is the main issue. If you can't understand how hypocritical the Job post is with that phrasing, how can you claim to be a charity who's members 'understand' those on the spectrum?

(I realise that a vast majority of employees for the NAS are well trained and sensitive to the needs of those on the spectrum, I only wish to elaborate that it's important to maintain such standards across the board)

Quote last statement: "With this" (characteristics of zero houred contracts) "in mind, apply for Support Worker vacancies that have a fixed working pattern".

Original poster was concerned about a zero hours contract being expressly offered to autistic spectrum candidates.

Are there that many non-zero hours contracts such as permanent full time or part time roles being favourably offered to people on the autistic spectrum?

Not sure how the HR response matches the original question...... But that was always my particular problem with HR staff - spending years as a professional concerned with communication, I was often left very puzzled as the what their edicts actually meant.

Dear Community Members 

I would like to start by thanking you for taking the time to highlight your views with regards to the job advertised for a Support Worker in the South West of England.

As an organisation we are mindful of the type of candidates we need to attract and therefore ensure that we offer choice in working patterns, such as fixed working pattern or on a flexible basis. This means our support worker vacancies offer choice to applicants when applying.

Currently in the South West area, there are a number of vacancies including permanent full time or part time roles as well as an apprenticeship scheme; therefore applicants can respond based on their own preference.

Please also be aware that our  zero hour contracts run on a good practice model, so for example,  if a zero hour worker works continuously for 6 months in a role, the zero hour worker may request for a discussion with the manager for a permanent role. 

We also adhere to the  two ticks scheme which means that every applicant who declares having a disability  is guaranteed an interview, if the minimum criteria is met.

With this is mind, I would welcome and encourage you to apply for Support Worker vacancies that have a fixed working pattern. 

NAS HR Recruitment Manager, GC

Hi, I'll contact our Human Resources Team and ask them to reply to your comments. Bob Mod.

What they've done is to appear to welcome applications form autistic people but to structure the job so that its not suitable for autistic people. Very clever,

After viewing job adverts from the NAS too I agree that it is certainly not very good, and I have also noticed that they often ask for 'flexibility' whilst encouraging autistic people to apply.  Personally I don't feel that flexibilty is my most marketable quality (I don't know if this is the same for others but imagine it may be), and feel that for me it would need to be qualified in terms of what type of flexibility is required.  This would make me nervous of applying for such a job unless this was specified and I felt sure to fulfill the criteria.  Same goes for initiative and understanding- what sort would this be.  I don't know if this is more obvious for other people but it is not clear to me.

No, doesn't make any sense at all to me. I think you'd have to try hard to find a contract that's any more unsuitable. As you say, hypocrisy.