• Replies 4 replies
  • Subscribers 79 subscribers
  • Views 1638 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Wanting to return to work following AS diagnosis

addlestones

Hi

I've been diagnosed with Asperger's and been with a garden retail company for 16years full time and 21 years in total.

I've seen the good, the bad and ugly but unfortunately have struggled with the bad and ugly recently resulting in first taking two weeks off with stress and then told to take time off until my diagnosis report. Following the diagnosis I was told to take time off until I've seen an Occupational Health assessor. That report is now been sent to my employer and my 'sick note' runs out on the 12th Sept. 

I love the company I work for and want to return to work. Any advice would be helpful especially regarding the law.

Parents

  • 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.

Reply

  • 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.

Children
No Data