Employee with autism - what are my rights?

Hi,

I can relate to this subject, in my late 20s I managed to get to a team leader role, and did very well. The Boss I was working for, really believed in me personally, and recognised my strong technical capability. Since leaving that firm, I continued as team leader, but in much larger organisation. I then moved from permanent employment to contract, and was labelled as consultant; but I feel that was only to justify the high rates which were being charged to the customer by the agency I worked for. 

Since then I have been climbing down, I started one job as technical architect, but the name of my role changed to senior developer. In my current job, I am now a web developer. I wanted a more senior role, and had discussions with senior manager, saying I do have experience of this. That was before stress and health issues have played a part. At the time I was told they could not promote me, because we don't have a opening for that role.

Earlier this year, my team leader stepped down to web developer, he just hated dealing with all the meetings and politics. There was no discussion with me about moving in to his role, which has been merged in to the role of a more senior manager. I have mentioned my aspergers to my employer, I don't see that as a problem, but explained to them I do have problems with anxiety and depression which I am fighting.

Having thought about it, I am thinking maybe I should stay in my current role; our company has taken on a lot more staff, mainly extra management, which causes a lot of conflict.

I did ask my boss, if the reason I was not promoted, is because of my strong technical skills, and they don't want me spending less time on that side, he admitted that was partially correct.

Random

Random

Some companies recognise that technical people sometimes don't make good managers. I used to work at a company where the company structure recognised this and allowed people to follow a more technical path but still get recognition and promotions for their work whilst others would focus on management. This is still the model in many aerospace and engineering companies. Have you discussed this with your company? If you are unhappy and they can see that you are doing a good job then perhaps they could design a role that would allow you to continue with your technical specialisation but would not require people management skills.

I think one of the problems that spectrumites face in rising up the corporate ladder is their inability to take part in office politics and this is something those already in positions of power look for. The reason for this, I think, is that those who hold power want to make sure anyone entering their power structure is 'maleable', that is, open to tacit manipulation without the risk of being vulnerable to accusations of compromising approaches. In other words, to be able to 'read between the lines' which spectrumites are not good at doing.

This is why spectrumites don't succeed in politics. We know politicians indulge in double-talk and downright lying, and again, this is not a strong suit of spectrumites. Science and engineering, on the other hand, demand total objectivity and, doubtless, this is why spectrumites excel at them.

First off all I want to say that its disappoints me how few employers look towards recruiting autistic people and how low the statistics are for people on the spectrum in full time employment. I wish this was different as throughout my employment there have been many neurotypicals bringing very little to the table whereas I know their companies would benefit from people on the spectrum who would bring so much more. Therefore I want to say something about my experiences of seeking promotion but at the same time I do not want to seem unsympathetic towards those who can not get a job. I hope this is clear. I want things to change and wherever I can I encourge HR departments to look towards people on the spectrum.

Ok promotion. To begin with I have not been dignosed officially and I am just starting on that process, just to be clear. I have been lucky enough to move through several jobs in my career but unable to progress within any of the companies I have been with. Promotion is just something that happens to other people. The frustrating thing is that I work hard to try and achieve it.

For example, in my current job, which is a step down position I took nearly three years ago to get away from a really bad company, I am trying to move up the ladder by moving into a side role. When I took the position after a few months it was clear to me that the procedures they were using were very in-afficent. Therefore in my own time, I wrote several computer programs and divised new ways of working which I demostrated to my boss. He was impressed and gave me work time to develop this further. We implemented these sytems and now two years later my methods and programs are used every day by all in the department. It is has also been proven to save time and money. I enjoy this sort of work and have since decided it is more of what I want to do. Therefore I approached my boss to see if a position could be created. He and his bosses lked the idea and said a business plan would be needed to justify the position.

This was over a year ago and to date nothing has majorly happened although they have used my skills three times now in other departments. I have wrote the essence of the plan myself and tried to move the process along but still there has not been an official proposal put forward for me. They make a lot of promises but use the excuse of my day job (which I am officially employed to do) against me. Even though I am finding that more and more less interesting. To be fair to them the workload is intense and we do need to get the work out for paying customers and if i were to be promoted they would need someone to fill the role I do now. I do see things from their point of view in some ways and when we have had rare dips in workload I have had time to develop my ideas. 

The thing what I am asking is does anybody think I am projecting something that could be due to autistic traits, that is stopping them from promoting me? On paper I am an absolute money saver and tick all the right boxes. Other companies have said they would think it was christmas come early to have someone like me, yet my company just do not seem to want to take the risk? (Sorry if that sounds arrogant - I feel awkward typing it)

I am a bit woried that the social issues and anxiety that they know I have, are just never going to let me achieve what I want to. Do anybody else on here feel like this?  I can really relate to xor as his situation sounds simliar. Why are companies so scared of developing good people? Why not take a risk? The rewards for everyone could be so great. I think everyone should have the opportunity for promotion and work if they so want it and it is sad that so many of us are denied it outright or in more subtle ways.

Once agin I hope this is ok with everyone -thanks for reading - it does mean a lot to know some people are listening.

Hi xor, I see you've just joined us so welcome to the community. 

I understand what you're going through as I've been in a similar position. Sometimes people will be unable to see you "fitting in" to a different role, due to their preconceived ideas which they can't change because they're NT and so don't have much flexibility  or originality of thought. (although it's supposed to be us that lack imagination!) it's frustrating. 

Have you taken any courses in communication or team management skills? I've found these to be useful.

If you can't progress in your current company, maybe you need to look for another job. If you do, perhaps it would be best not to mention your autism so that you don't get judged by that label. 

Good luck

I am not competitive. I love what I do and think of it as a hobby. I like engineering, maths, and computers. I know how lucky I am asparagus. I have been homeless, hungry, alone at one point in my life. I don't have any family and I only have one friend who cares for me.

I wish you luck in your search for employment. If ever I can help, please do let me know.

asparagus said:

competition hurts

you may not feel like it at moment because you are sad but hey, you have a job and a job. Many of us aren't so lucky.

May be if you got that promotion you maynt like it that much anyway as every job is different. 

But most importantly, hey you have a job. I can't get one... but you have a job. well done X

Aspergerix

I am already doing the work that the current senior person cannot do. It was my manager that asked me to apply for the promotion. Both my manager and his manager acknowledge that the application is with merit and they have told me I am very good at what I do. The perceived problem is speculative. There is no definition. Also, two people who sit in the panel dislike me very much due to me questioning their decisions that caused major outages at work. 

I understand the point. A person born with one leg will be rejected for a job that involves running on both legs. If they get the support like a prosthetic leg, they may qualify for it. I know my qualification and so does my manager and his manager. I am very good technically. My work involves engineering, maths, and computers. There is no question on whether I can do the job. There was no clear definition of what the issue is. I was just told that the autism worries the senior staff as well as HR.

I am against all forms of iniquity. If I have to make an enemy to fight for what is right, I will have no qualms about it. Autism is the reason I have worked very hard to succeed. I am not going to let the ignorance, biases and predjudices of autism by other people hinder me from achieving my goal. I am appealing.

competition hurts

you may not feel like it at moment because you are sad but hey, you have a job and a job. Many of us aren't so lucky.

May be if you got that promotion you maynt like it that much anyway as every job is different. 

But most importantly, hey you have a job. I can't get one... but you have a job. well done X