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Work

DannyW22

Hey guys, i recently got offered a job at a factory that makes books but had to quit after 1 8 hour shift due to having several near meltdowns/being constantly on the verge of a meltdown, the machines are extremely loud and you have to wear ear plugs due to that, the constant beeping of the forklifts and you have to wear a band that vibrates/beeps whenever a forklift is near so it is constantly going off, you get ZERO breaks so couldnt regulate myself, youre constantly on the go and have to be fast, i cried on the drive home and also cried for hours when i got home and didnt sleep until 5am due to being so stressed out and worried about next shift. I explained all of this to the manager who agreed that the job isnt suitable for me as he cant garuntee ill be put on the same area where its less fast paced and wont be moved about, but my family are extremely disappointed in me because i didnt give it a "proper go" even after explaining what had happened they are treating this job as a be all end all, i am 22 years old and feel hopeless, i want to go into animal care as that is what i am passionate about but i now feel like i cant even do that, my mental health has taken a massive tumble because i know everyone is disappointed in me i feel like ive let everyone down and that i am a burdon to my family and i dont really know where to go from here to be honest. I do volunteer for a dog rescue which i really enjoy doing but i do heavily rely on being told what to do but the people im on shifts with are really supportive and understanding which makes it a lot easier. Just wanting some advice/guidance

  • DannyW22 said:
    my family are extremely disappointed in me

    That's very short-sighted of them. You appear to be getting on well at the dog rescue, so perhaps focus on that - there might be other local rescues or wild life trusts who would welcome volunteers - not only the animal side but working in the gardens too. 

    DannyW22 said:
    the people im on shifts with are really supportive and understanding

    There you go - so how can you be hopeless!!

  • Good morning from America, DannyW22!

    I’m sorry to hear that factory work was obviously not a good fit for you. I recently worked at a factory for a few years, but my noise tolerance is okay and I felt that the repetitive tasks were soothing (so long as I was not rushed). Us Autistics have vastly different abilities and difficulties, so what may be a good fit for you may even be a horrible fit for me. That makes it a little difficult to give specific advice on here without us knowing intimately what you are capable of, which I would not expect you to open up to in such a public space.

    Expecto_Patronum’s advice to look into Access to Work is excellent. I am currently a job coach here in the US, which I think functions similarly to what Access to Work is, from what little I’ve heard. A job coach can inventory your skills & needs, assist with applying to jobs & interviewing for them, and then develop skills to adapt to the workplace. That last point is particularly important, since it is practically impossible to find a work environment that 100% works perfectly for you. However, a job coach could try to help you find a job that is at least more feasible for you than your last situation.

    My personal advice is to not let this day from hell bring you down. Just because a factory setting doesn’t work for you does not mean you’ll never be able to work in the community. Take it as a learning experience: Now you know to avoid fast and loud workplaces, right?

    Wishing you the best!

  • Getting a job in the right environment is essential. Noisy and fast obviously wasn't for you. That doesn't mean that there isn't the right job our there for you. I know it's difficult when your family are giving you negative feedback but it really sounds like you did the right thing if it was causing meltdowns like that. Volunteering is a really good thing. It sounds like an animal job where there is lots of repetitive, routine jobs might suit you. Having supportive people around you definitely helps. There can be a long wait but it could be worth trying to get some support through access to work. They can do work place assessments to see what you need support wise but I've heard mixed feedback about how useful this is for people with autism. You can also use it to get coaching specifically for people who are neurodivergent. You would need to find someone that you were happy with - you can look online - and then get a quote. You then apply with access to work. There's a really long wait but it's a simple process. This might give you the support you need to work out your strengths and what job is right for you. Access to work can also give interview support but I've no idea how good that is.

  • Hi DannyW22,


    I'm so sorry to hear that your mental health has taken a tumble.  I am sure our online community members will have lots of support and input for you.

    The National Autistic Society does not currently operate a crisis or emergency service. If you’re finding it hard to cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, please seek help. If you feel you [or anyone else] is at risk of immediate harm, dial 999 or contact one of the mental health crisis lines listed on our Urgent Help Page: https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/help-and-support/urgent-help.  

    If it’s not an emergency but you’re still struggling, speaking to a health professional can help. If your GP is closed, you can call 111 for NHS support. In England, Wales and Scotland, you can now choose option 2 to speak directly with mental health professionals: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/.  

    Other free, confidential support includes: 

    • Samaritans – Call 116 123, 24 hours a day 
    • SANEline – 0300 304 7000 (4.30-10.30pm daily)  
    • Shout – Text 85258, 24 hours a day 
    • Mind Infoline – 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am-6pm)  

    You may also find the following information useful:

    What can I do if Im having trouble at work

    What are reasonable adjustments and when can they be requested

    How can I find a job thats right for me

    I hope this information is useful.

    Kind Regards

    Suzanne Mod