Wanting to return to work following AS diagnosis

 As an employer let me give you some advice.

  You are replaceable, everyone is. If you cause problems they will edge you out.

Employers say all the right things tick the right boxes when legislation demands it. But if they want you gone they will just make life difficult, Not change your shift when asked, change your days off with little notice. Make you work with someone you dont get on with. They will push and push and edge you closer to that door till you either step through or cause a scene which they will discipline you for and keep doing it over and over till you have your final written warning and no idea what just happened.

 If you need the money you shoul keep your head down and just crack on, no amount of quoting some vague legistlation will save you if you dont stir the pot the right way.

 Now all of this is terrible, not very nice, illegal even. but employers have only one motive and thats money dont think for one second they care about you.

 Im sorry i cant be supportive in this but using some flowery littany and telling you it will be all right wont save your job, only you can do that. The smaller the employer the more harsh they are.

The role I was doing has currently been filled by someone else even though I have returned to work. The person who has 'replaced me' has put a grievance in because I said I wanted to get back to what I was doing before my diagnosis. Should I put in a counter-grievance? I am not popular at work because of my 'quirks' as someone put it and a manager has told me I should grow a thicker skin!!!

Aspergerix' advice is spot on. Something (someone?) at work is likely to have changed.

Do you need to return to work to get paid or are they reducing your income?

I would advise that you should take some time off so that you can learn to understand what your diagnosis means and start to learn ways of living with it better.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago (at age 56) and it has taken me a long time to unravel some of the issues that had developed in the previous years. I had got thoroughly wound up in conflicts with other staff. I moved jobs about a year after diagnosis but made a mistake in jumping into the wrong job. I quit that after 12 months and have just today got myself a job that looks much more managable and suitable given the things that I have learnt about myself in the last 2 years.

Have you been given any advice or assistance in learning about Aspergers? I went on a course run by the local autism centre that I found very useful.

Hi Addlestones,

Do you have a reason to feel that your job is in jeopardy?

From what you have mentioned it would appear your employer is taking reasonable steps to ensure you can return to work with some support in place. You have been with the company for 21 years and you are still the same person you were before the diagnosis. The OT report will help your employer to make reasonable adjustments so ensuring your future with the company.

I have been both Chair and Board member of a small non profit organisation. When one of the staff had meningitis it had a huge impact on him. When his doctor signed him fit for work we were not happy that he was due to some ongoing issues and working as a gardener and therefor using equipment, including a ride on mower. We referred him to an OT and together developed a 6 month plan to allow him to return to work with his safety, and others, taken into consideration. Initially this included part time hours, and working with a gardening company to continue working alongside him to ensure his work remained managable.

On the off chance this is not their intention they would not be able to just sack you because of your diagnosis. This means they would need to go down the competency route. For this they would have to show you were no longer competant to do the job. To do this they would first need to put in any reasonable adjustments recommended by the OT, provide support/training to give you the opportunity to improve to an acceptable level.

If the stress was due to promotion or moving to a different job within the company which for various reasons you are not able to cope with because of your Aspergers this may be an issue. If so you may want to consider asking to return your previous post, which would protect your job. You can then work on the weaknesses and look to moving forward at a later date.

While I understand your concerns until you return to work and have a chat with your employer on what happens next you could be worrying about very little. If I have got this wrong and they are looking to get rid off you then there are steps you can take, let the forum know and either I or others may be able to help.