Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi Everyone.
I have a job interview tomorrow, I cant decide whether i should disclose or not, I've done a search but I cant find a solid answer other than 'its good to' or its bad to'.
Im applying for a part time a job in a supermarket, it says fully flexible shifts between 5am and 11pm.
I need a routine, they say they are fully flexible but I hear horror stories about managers not being able to organise a rota more than 3 days ahead. I really need a regular start time, and not to be given a different one each day. Im also worried about being constantly messaged by a manger changing my shifts at short notice. I also don't want to have to use an app for anything.. I often leave my phone it in the house when I go out. I'm not someone who has their phone hard wired and I see it as an intrusion. Legally do I have to disclose in the interview? will hitting them with 'demands' if I get the job make me a pariah?should I say all this in the interview?
what would you do? I need a job but I don't need a breakdown. I worked there in the past and I left because of a member of staff bullying me (before I was diagnosed) but he's still there. Although to be honest the place I went to next was much worse and only having one person doing it would be a relief.
The eternal question for autistics! It’s extremely difficult to know what’s best because it will depend on the interviewer how they receive your situation. My autistic daughter wanted regular work times but didn’t tell her employer. This was a mistake because after a month she had to renegotiate the terms of her employment. However that being said and with hindsight here is what I would do. Ask in the interview if the rota is pretty stable once it’s in place, asked if it gets changed a lot. Say you are flexible but also you do like to know when you are working. Try to judge if they are being truthful when they answer and go for it if you’re happy.
Don’t disclose your autism diagnosis until you have passed your probation period. Then they will be happy with how you are working and won’t be too worried but under the law you can ask for reasonable adjustments, such as knowing when you are going to work.
As for bullying always complain to management if you feel you are being bullied. It is their job to deal with it not yours. Do this verbally at first and then in writing if it doesn’t improve. Usually it doesn’t improve because management hope it will stop naturally so they don’t have to get involved. This is to be expected, that you will have to increase your complaints so don’t be disheartened. Once it’s in writing, stating the issue and what exactly has happened you can move forward.
I hope this helps and good luck!
I forgot about the phone. Don’t mention that you don’t carry it with you, they will just assume you do. Look at it as you would normally and reply to messages but don’t worry about it. It’s not up to them what you do with your phone. If they ask explain it to them, that you don’t carry it. It’s perfectly reasonable.