workplace not bothering to do the work on understanding autism

From my experience seems any care places are the most discriminating. I qualified as a vet nurse in 2021 and failed to find a supportive veterinary practice. Then after a really horrible stint at a practice, I joined Fedcap which led me down another path of childcare and started finding similar results, not as bad as my experience from veterinary professionals but still bad. At present hopefully things have turned a corner although I still on edge not knowing if they mean what they say or if by the time the probation period ends it all starts again. Causing a massive increase in rejection sensitivity. 

Tear aways and toughnuts taking advantage. This is when nepotism creates bigger problems 

It’s general apathy, this is what I am working to make my council and borough aware of. Workplace laws are being ignored or overidden in the case of neurodiversity. This is why I am self employed, never treated well, perform at a higher level than colleagues, never promoted, contracts ended without reason. Discrimination laws are being broken on a widespread level.

Mr T said:

My own case is now listed for a tribunal so hopefully some light at the end of the tunnel for me.

I am glad that a time frame is now set.  I hope the sun shines on you soon.

At present the employer continues to furnish me with (in my opinion) plenty of evidence.  You will I suspect understand the challenge that it is to continue to "fight" when fighting has such negative impacts.

Your belief resonates with my experience too.

It reflects the reality that most workplaces value social conformity rather than valuing the quality of output.

I find workplaces like this very,very hard to be in.

In so far as the workplaces also reflect on wider society... well I think you know where I am going with that.

Best Wishes

No apology necessary vardaguyn after all I did invite your response.

It is difficult to know what to say when people ask what you do for a living.

I think I might find it difficult not to "overshare" in such circumstances.  There is a balance of trust in the other person who inquires that my autistic brain struggles to analyse.

On a "good day" I would likely share more information and be able to explore further the inquiry with the person.

On a really good day even one who might be hostile to my response.

It has taken a long time for even my closest family to understand - they have become accustomed to me being stronger in their mind than I truly am.  Only when they are in a "good place" themselves have they been able to be strong enough to acknowledge my vulnerability.

Thank you for replying.

You have my best wishes with rebuilding your life.

Small wins can help increase confidence and meanwhile one has a chance to "get to know" who one really is.

Hope the cake is nice! :-)

Thanks ArchaeC 

I’m not working but I experienced similar when I was working, not because work didn’t bother to understand autism as I didn’t know I was autistic then, but because there was no understanding of ‘mental health’ and my needs were listened to. 

I don’t know if it would have made a difference whether or not I had known I was autistic back then. I always thought it would have done, yet experiences like yours show it would not necessarily be so.

I wish you weren’t experiencing this.

Good morning 

My former workers were bullies and nasty people. Ended up handing my notice 7 years ago. 

They blamed me for putting stock in the wrong place (no proof and id reckoned that the supervisor put the stock in the wrong place and made the impression that it was me);

I'd asked what I can do the last 10 minutes of my shift. Supervisor said how long have you worked here? You should know by now.

Playing games like asking me how much is in my bank account? What would you name your child? Who do I fancy in the store?

Taking photos inside the stockroom and posting it on Facebook for public view. Also message people on there phone. Absolutely security breach.

I was in a really bad state when I had a phone call saying I wasn't required to come in. 4 boxes of delivery. 

I went higher and told that I was lying to people saying we went bellow contract. I was told to make up the hours and I said no. Rumours was spreading that I was on long-term sick leave. 

Fact: I had the lingering flu before my 2 week vacation. 

The supervisor was telling everyone that she didn't have periods as a joke. I was going to pull her to one side and said isn't a joke.

Blamed me for a bad odour which was coming from the bins. I'd got grilled about personal hygiene. 

Got demoted to something different which I felt uncomfortable. Reason was that my productivity wasn't good enough (we're told to ignore the system);

I was showing a newbie to scan her rail and how to separate sale stock.

A shopfloor worker came up to me saying that why I put sale stock on the shop floor. Newbie asked me if I was ok. The shop floor worker said to the supervisor (before she went on maternity leave); someone in the stock room is putting sale stock on shop floor. I reckoned it was her or a temporary worker. 

Witnessed someone else who was getting bullied. The person was leaving. I didn't say anything as didn't want to have an argument saying calling someone judas and a traitor isn't acceptable and isn't a joke.

Handled my notice badly by saying you sure want to leave? Temporary manager didn't want to look at my feedback information. 10 days later I left I managed to get myself in the stockroom uninvited and former workers said we need you back on delivery, clock in now. 4 months later same thing happened and one of the people said add me on Facebook. I said no.

Someone told me that the day after I left, they realised that the behaviour couldn't continue and basically got on with it.

I did write to head office to feedback. The response was please can you tell me who did this? Case closed. Absolutely too late. 

I was told isn't bullying, hormones as some people were pregnant. 

Management knew all along. This could have been prevented. 

I was there 2007-2019.

Still getting nightmares. 

○o。..。o○

Tried something new which was a mistake as I ended up having panic attacks. 

○o。..。o○

Now trying to rebuild my life by attending a woman's only group. 

We do different things and have a cup of tea with biscuits or cake. 

Also I try to attend more events. 

Unfortunately I still get people who ask me what I do for a living. I get uncomfortable with talking about it. How would you approach it? 

Some of my family don't understand. 

Sorry for ranting. 

Thanks Mr T.

I am sorry to hear this. However from my own experience I am not surprised especially in the 'caring' professions in the NHS.

All I can say is document everything incase you need evidence. I am sure you have been doing this anyway.

If you want to rant I am here to listen / talk. My own case is now listed for a tribunal so hopefully some light at the end of the tunnel for me.

I am really beginning to believe that autists are there to be pitied but not really welcome in the world of employment. There may be some 'good' employers but I suspect the vast majority see us as a burden and difficult.

Thanks RisinPhoenix :-)

Feel free to message me anytime if you ever need a chat or a vent :) 

Thanks for the empathy RisinPhoenix and glad you've found the right place for you :-)

yep! I’ve had a rough ride with keeping jobs. My last workplace seemed to accept my autism then dismissed me and told me I wasn’t formally diagnosed and didn’t have an EHCP plan. Which some of us doot have especially if you’re out of education and it’s not a requirement to have a job. I’m so tired of finding these employers. Luckily I have found a nice employer who seem to accept my Audhd diagnosis so . But I totally get where your coming from