Autism and Work Life

[sybok]

Hi,

I am interested in the experiences of others in the work place. I am thinking of things like going for promotions, the interview process, writing applications etc.

For me, I feel I struggle with determining what my audience sees as important. I am a clear expert in my area, and yet, I have been ranked unsuitable for a single step promotion.

It is very frustrating watching people progress past you, who clearly do not know as much as you, and who do not have the vision you do, and who do not seem to grasp the most important points that need focus to improve the work area.

 

[Joel's Hear]

So many world upgrades are given because of sociability rather than skill. That's one of the reasons everything constantly regresses as soon as it is created.

 

[Pats]

They call it politics. You have to know who is important to get to know and know how to kiss up. Seriously. My hospital supervisor wanted to recommend my idiot boss for a nurse of the year reward and asked if I could write something up, since I was good with writing. I asked what the qualifications were and she told me, so I told her I couldn't, because my boss did not fit those qualifications, she'd call in and then change it to a meeting day when she returned so it wouldn't be counted as an absence (even though the reason she called in was personal), she did not know what she was doing, she did not help when staff got busy, etc, etc. All the nurses sitting around me overheard and started chiming in that they agreed and added other reasons she should NOT be nominated. Well, they nominated her anyway and she got it, and eventually she was promoted to one of the hospital supervisors. But it was a better place for her - all she'd have to do is go from floor to floor checking on everyone and not have to do any patient care (which she was actually dangerous doing). All politics - who you know and so on.

 

[sybok]

I agree Pats, about the politics. I guess, if a person has ASD, and by extension, is not inherently good at playing politics, then a reasonable adjustment in the workplace must take that into account.

It is certainly NOT the case that a person on the spectrum is missing critical information or knowledge or expertise, or insight, or creative ideas. Organisations, in the interests of equity, yes, but also for their own sake, need to hear the voice. Distill what is said and they will almost always discover that a person of substance, care and detail have just spoken. Not just me here. I am speaking even more broadly than ASD.

This reliance on promoting people who are good at politics impoverishes organisations and the world.

 

[wight]

It is very frustrating watching people progress past you, who clearly do not know as much as you, and who do not have the vision you do, and who do not seem to grasp the most important points that need focus to improve the work area.

yes, it is frustrating. I've been dealing with it my whole working life. I've just come to accept that personality and social status play a role in promotions and awards. I'll never be "that guy". Doesn't make it any less frustrating but it helps keep things in perspective.

 

[Aspychata]

Feel this is the part where it sucked being on the spectrum. Because l actually thought people were upwardly mobile based on your productiveness and ingenuity. Haha- boy was this a life lesson. I would have done great if l just stayed dumb and it didn't say much in random jobs.

 

[Progster]

These days it's difficult to get a job through the normal processes, and qualifications don't seem to count, it's: what networking you do, who you know, how sociable you are, can you work in a team, and can you suck up to the boss.

 

[sybok]

It is my understanding that being on the spectrum, when actually assessed of course, then you can access adjustments under legislation. This is specifically intended to assist people in our situation, in all aspects of work life.

This is one reason I am seeking a proper diagnosis, which is difficult in itself. But I hope to access the additional assistance and adjustments to allow me to be more upwardly mobile.

I'm not sure where you are from, but I know much of the West models it's policies on US policies. So US people would have the same support, or better, I would have thought.

 

[Alexej]

They call it politics. You have to know who is important to get to know and know how to kiss up. Seriously. My hospital supervisor wanted to recommend my idiot boss for a nurse of the year reward and asked if I could write something up, since I was good with writing. I asked what the qualifications were and she told me, so I told her I couldn't, because my boss did not fit those qualifications, she'd call in and then change it to a meeting day when she returned so it wouldn't be counted as an absence (even though the reason she called in was personal), she did not know what she was doing, she did not help when staff got busy, etc, etc. All the nurses sitting around me overheard and started chiming in that they agreed and added other reasons she should NOT be nominated. Well, they nominated her anyway and she got it, and eventually she was promoted to one of the hospital supervisors. But it was a better place for her - all she'd have to do is go from floor to floor checking on everyone and not have to do any patient care (which she was actually dangerous doing). All politics - who you know and so on.

Peter principle - Wikipedia

This principle holds true in many organisations - too many IMHO

 

[Alexej]

On the other hand I have not risen in the organisation due to Asperger's. However, since it was only recently diagnosed it is hard to blame the organisation.

The typical things that are hard for Aspies are the ones you need to rise in the firm.

 

[sybok]

It is probably not important anyway. Nothing seems to make any difference. No matter what you do, you're still stuck with yourself.

I have read far and wide, listened to hundreds of science based podcasts, watched I don't know how many documentaries, studied theology, philosophy and whatever else, and if I learned anything, I have learned that people do what people do. Including me. And nothing makes any real difference.

If you cannot find joy in the day, then you are doomed. I think I am doomed.