Has Anyone Else Suffered From Discrimination At Work?

[Lynnemarie]

hi everyone,
I'm just writing this as yet again i'm suffering from discrimination at work... Why Oh Why Is it happening to ME AGAIN!!!! :furious:
First it was Mencap- in a carehome i was working in - and they just didnt understand my problems- this was almost 2 years ago now! i was there 4 months and then forced to walk in the end... and now... i'm stuck at Poundworld and having similar Problems - i think its the companies fault though now - as they are constently having a go at me, making accuations which just AREN'T True... and giving me hours which are ALL over the place and then change it without telling me!!! Grrr :furious:
I have an advocate but my manager wont let them come in... so my advocate and my self have had to contact HR our selves and get a meeting sorted... I just HOPE beyound believe that this HR Lady will get a meeting sorted - so that i can have a better time at work... otherwise if nothing is sorted - i'm outa there.

Has anyone else suffered from discrimination at work?? I'd be interested to hear
Lynnemarie

 

[oscar2012]

i have and still am ive been off 5weeks and went to see the deputy were i work and teach autistic students YES am also victimized to i was with him half hour and i wanted to walk this as been an ongoing battle for sometime but i wanted to be accounted for

 

[oscar2012]

you can get access to work to go in work for you its run by government

 

[theduckrabbit]

Not the same exactly but my annual evaluations each year have been full of comments about my lack of appropriate outgoing-ness. Each year it is more and more and this year my numerical rating dropped despite tons of feedback about being fast, accurate, conscientious, detail oriented, reliable, etc. In the long term this will serve as justification for not promoting me. I was close to speaking up about it this year but of course out loud I said nothing.


Sent from my iPhone using AspiesCentral.com

 

[total-recoil]

hi everyone,
I'm just writing this as yet again i'm suffering from discrimination at work... Why Oh Why Is it happening to ME AGAIN!!!! :furious:
First it was Mencap- in a carehome i was working in - and they just didnt understand my problems- this was almost 2 years ago now! i was there 4 months and then forced to walk in the end... and now... i'm stuck at Poundworld and having similar Problems - i think its the companies fault though now - as they are constently having a go at me, making accuations which just AREN'T True... and giving me hours which are ALL over the place and then change it without telling me!!! Grrr :furious:
I have an advocate but my manager wont let them come in... so my advocate and my self have had to contact HR our selves and get a meeting sorted... I just HOPE beyound believe that this HR Lady will get a meeting sorted - so that i can have a better time at work... otherwise if nothing is sorted - i'm outa there.

Has anyone else suffered from discrimination at work?? I'd be interested to hear
Lynnemarie

Yes, welcome to the club. I haven't mentioned this yet but I have actually been off work since New Year. I am also pretty angry about it or even disgusted would be an appropriate term. It started after one female boss told me I couldn't go on an afternoon break and I stood up to her. I was polite but stood my ground and she later retaliated in various ways and in time more people in management seemed to side with her so I got this tag of being a troublemaker. In reality, all I did was take an afternoon break that was perfectly legal and more a matter of principle at the time. I somehow get this feeling of being ganged up and I've struggled as to how to deal with it on a personal level. There is always a possibility of anger taking over in these situations but basically to this point I brushed it all off and avoided getting into any conflict on the grounds I'm only a supply worker and it might be better just to find another job. I'm well aware other people have had problems as well because the reality is the management there is pretty awful. I still somehow feel targeted due to aspergers although nobody knows about it. What really stings and makes me quite angry is that one friend in particular just avoided me when he realised there were a couple of managers on my case, clearly afraid of getting involved. I can understand it to a point but must admit it's disappointing. Anyway I decided the best way to handle it is to cut my losses but the main thing that bothers me is how to find something better and where. There is also a bitter taste after the experience that I hope I can shrug off and not allow to suck me into a negative cycle of anger. Funnily enough I did once meet a girl there who was a psychiatrist who specialised in spectrum disorders and she herself had been victimized by the same company.

 

[Joel I]

I have just been fired after a long victimisation and scrutiny of my work with constant criticism from my team leader and supervisor. My Psychologist says that the more time she spends with me the more she thinks I might have Aspergers. The more I look into the topic the more it explains my past.

 

[Arashi222]

The problem is that the world is not designed to understand us. So even when best intentions are there sometimes it doesn't work out that way. I had a terrible run in with work awhile back with people not understanding that I had autism. Labeling me a drama queen when I would have meltdowns and then not allowing my medical accomodation. It took me getting the ADA (americans with disablities) into the picture before they finally agreed to let me have what I wanted and needed. It is hard for a use to socialize in the way that most work places wish us to. However I have been lucky in that my reviews for hte past 13yrs have been great. I know my job and I do it well. My mom used to write me scripts to follow when I was at work and now I don't even think about them anymore because they are so ingrained. I only get into trouble when the person has exhausted my scripts and I don't know what to do and I can;t read them. But yes I have this issue with supervisors sometimes. though my direct supervisor has been much better after having watched the temple grandin movie.

 

[total-recoil]

The problem is that the world is not designed to understand us. So even when best intentions are there sometimes it doesn't work out that way. I had a terrible run in with work awhile back with people not understanding that I had autism. Labeling me a drama queen when I would have meltdowns and then not allowing my medical accomodation. It took me getting the ADA (americans with disablities) into the picture before they finally agreed to let me have what I wanted and needed. It is hard for a use to socialize in the way that most work places wish us to. However I have been lucky in that my reviews for hte past 13yrs have been great. I know my job and I do it well. My mom used to write me scripts to follow when I was at work and now I don't even think about them anymore because they are so ingrained. I only get into trouble when the person has exhausted my scripts and I don't know what to do and I can;t read them. But yes I have this issue with supervisors sometimes. though my direct supervisor has been much better after having watched the temple grandin movie.

Recently I discovered I have this darker side of my personality where anger can actually take over. I know that this is a very un aspie like trait as most aspies tend to direct their anger or frustrations inwardly, maybe go by themselves and rock or cry. However, recently I came to discover I can get angry. There is this old saying that you can kick a dog repeatedly till one day it bites and that's how I can best describe it. I got to this point where I began to think why should anyone put up with being a doormat or victimisation on the basis he or she is a minority, be it race, colour, orientation or autism spectrum. I mean, that being disallowed the right to work on some flimsy basis of being different than the norm is, to my mind, totally unacceptable. To this point I've done a really good job controlling anger and never so far blowing a fuse at work, more so because really I just don't want all the negativity to change me into something I'm not. So, I tend to shrug it off as I believe in Karma and those people who choose to victimise others will inevitably reap what they sow. Besides that, I often think insecurity is a factor with such people. The girl I befriended there had 2 PHD's in neurobiology and psychiatry, was neurotypical but victimised by one or two managers probably because she was smarter than they were and made them feel insecure.
Having given this a great deal of thought, I decided to stay cool at all costs but am working on finding jobs that offer a more tolerant environment. Besides, I tel myself there are a lot of people who do like me and treat me O.K. so fortunately not all employers are the same. Good luck to all of you who are in the same boat and hopefully we will live to fight another day.

 

[Judge]

The problem is that the world is not designed to understand us. So even when best intentions are there sometimes it doesn't work out that way.

Profoundly so, Arashi. When I think of all those times my mother would say, "I just don't understand you at times!"

 

[Licorice]

Yep! Even though pretty much all the customers at my jobs have liked me, one of the management teams treated me like an incompetent when they learned of my diagnosis and saw that I wasn't involved in the office social life. There's no pleasing some people.

 

[superboyian]

I have this issue no matter where I seem to work, I always at least get this one that would think of me as either really stupid or talk to me in a way that they would do to a young child and I still seemed puzzled why that would be the case? Maybe they notice it because where I'm working at, I'm honestly not sure how aware they are about this? I haven't mentioned anything of it but I'm not sure if it would even be worth mentioning?

 

[total-recoil]

I was intrigued by what John Lennon had to say about not fitting in. I don't think Lennon had aspergers but for whatever reason he felt very very different and misunderstood all his life. He talks of being on a different wavelength to other people and this concept that they seem to try to force you to fit into a square hole and be uniform. I get this at work. I mean, people just know I'm not at all like them and often there is someone who tries to put you down as if they feel uneasy over your personality. The same as Lennon, I have these periods where I can totally explode and get frustrated but now I know about HFA I sem to be able to control that a lot better. However, I can't stand being patronised and spoken to like an idiot at work.

I have just been fired after a long victimisation and scrutiny of my work with constant criticism from my team leader and supervisor. My Psychologist says that the more time she spends with me the more she thinks I might have Aspergers. The more I look into the topic the more it explains my past.

 

[Andy R]

I am currently fighting my employer's lack of understanding of the condition. I have been off sick since 2nd Dec. Our Occupational Health found I most likely had both Asperger's and PTSD. They then decided that they were't responsible for either so refused me any support.
I had to pay privately to see a Consultant Psychologist to be formally diagnosed with Asperger's.

In the meantime my own Dept is constantly pressuring me to go back to work.

I had a meeting yesterday and took my Rep from my Professional Body (like a Union) along and we ran rings around them.

They have to make 'Reasonable Adjustments' for my conditions and pressure will now be put on Occupational Health to finally provide some support and treatment. They are also under no illusion that I am now protected against discrimination by The Equalities Act 2010 and I'm sure they've worked out that I will be suing their arses off if they breach it.

 

[total-recoil]

I have this issue no matter where I seem to work, I always at least get this one that would think of me as either really stupid or talk to me in a way that they would do to a young child and I still seemed puzzled why that would be the case? Maybe they notice it because where I'm working at, I'm honestly not sure how aware they are about this? I haven't mentioned anything of it but I'm not sure if it would even be worth mentioning?

People are aware on a subconscious level (an area I'm becoming more interested in lately). Even my German Shepherd seems to be aware I'm autistic as he's sort of more protective but can easily sense my particular frame of mind on a given day and may become hyperactive. So, at work it really is impossible to hide. What really does make me pretty angry is when they ask for two or three people to do some work at a department and then after 5 minutes or so I'm asked to leave for no obvious reason. I often take it the wrong way as discrimination but I am aware that possibly I have a reputation for being slow moving. The slow movements I think are caused by my exceptionally high mental energy which lately I've discovered some other people with autism experience. As I am thinking all the time, my energy levels can burn out so I need far more sleep and can often become sluggish,
However, back to John Lennon, I loved what he said about people in general seem to want everyone to be like them. It's assumed you should be a certain way to be accepted and everybody is supposed to be going to work as the main focus in life with a house and garden and so on. People who seem different are simply shunned in the workplace. And you notice those who are promoted are the most submissive to authority structures.
There are many people who seem to like me at work but there is no way I can really fit in. I'm now limiting my days to the minimum so I won't be noticed around that much and can spend my free time doing music.
To tell the truth I've become a cynic. I became intolerant of other people trying to dictate how I ought to be, what I should think and all the negative thinking around it. Since I stopped listening to all that stuff, I started to progress far faster once I started to believe in myself and not allow myself to be written off as substandard. For me, if people in the workplace want to be intolerant and closed minded, stuff them. All I do is my level best and then I go home and switch off.

 

[Autism]

hi everyone,
I'm just writing this as yet again i'm suffering from discrimination at work... Why Oh Why Is it happening to ME AGAIN!!!! :furious:
First it was Mencap- in a carehome i was working in - and they just didnt understand my problems- this was almost 2 years ago now! i was there 4 months and then forced to walk in the end... and now... i'm stuck at Poundworld and having similar Problems - i think its the companies fault though now - as they are constently having a go at me, making accuations which just AREN'T True... and giving me hours which are ALL over the place and then change it without telling me!!! Grrr :furious:
I have an advocate but my manager wont let them come in... so my advocate and my self have had to contact HR our selves and get a meeting sorted... I just HOPE beyound believe that this HR Lady will get a meeting sorted - so that i can have a better time at work... otherwise if nothing is sorted - i'm outa there.

Has anyone else suffered from discrimination at work?? I'd be interested to hear
Lynnemarie

Discrimination at work is so common. Not sure how to really combat that because someone that discriminates in any way is a person that is not interested in cooperation to begin with. I always answer discrimination the same way that these people hate. I know what to do to piss them off even more and truthfully I enjoy that because people that discriminate against others are just a lousy bunch of loosers.

I show most of them my backside. They know it, I know it, I do not care.

 

[Tarragon]

Taking the time to understand someone with autism take effort. Maybe they just don't want to put the effort in, which is why people are so quick to dismiss us.

This is not a trait I would want my staff to have - as it makes them lazy and not inquisitive, compassionate or intelligent. Yet, the majority seem to be like this, and the majority rule so it continues.

Considering how much effort each of us on the spectrum makes to understand other people, it makes us far more worthy of respect in the workplace.

Yet, the status quo continues. It is discrimination pure and simple.

 

[garnetflower13]

In response to Lynnmarie, I have been dismissed from jobs because of being perceived as "weird." Unfortunately, all it takes is for one person to decide this, discuss it with another person, take it to management, and poof! I 'm gone. I have also had my hours cut until I had no choice but to walk away. I have also been accused of doing things I wasn't physically capable of, just for an excuse to fire me. I remember one job where I had been called in to the office to tell me why I was being let go. The excuses were vague and patently unfair. It seems that if people can't put their collective fingers on what it is about me that rankles them, they they feel free to make up reasons and get others to back them up. So unfair!

 

[Judge]

Yes, I'm afraid those of us living in "right-to-work" states can be capriciously and unfairly terminated from employment. One of the few drawbacks from moving from California to Nevada.

In California unlawful termination suits abound. Where employers have to have their "ducks in a row" to fire an employee, or risk being litigated against.

 

[arthousesalem]

i have and still am ive been off 5weeks and went to see the deputy were i work and teach autistic students YES am also victimized to i was with him half hour and i wanted to walk this as been an ongoing battle for sometime but i wanted to be accounted for

I work in special ed and YES I have been discriminated and bullied !

 

[arthousesalem]

I am currently fighting my employer's lack of understanding of the condition. I have been off sick since 2nd Dec. Our Occupational Health found I most likely had both Asperger's and PTSD. They then decided that they were't responsible for either so refused me any support.
I had to pay privately to see a Consultant Psychologist to be formally diagnosed with Asperger's.

In the meantime my own Dept is constantly pressuring me to go back to work.

I had a meeting yesterday and took my Rep from my Professional Body (like a Union) along and we ran rings around them.

They have to make 'Reasonable Adjustments' for my conditions and pressure will now be put on Occupational Health to finally provide some support and treatment. They are also under no illusion that I am now protected against discrimination by The Equalities Act 2010 and I'm sure they've worked out that I will be suing their arses off if they breach it.

Good on you. Fight them at all cost