Social issues in the work place

[Arashi222]

Ok first let me explain. I had an incident today at work where I freaked and nearly had a meltdown in the break-room with a co-worker because he was joking around with another employee, but I had my notebook that I am writing my story (you know the ones that my dolls embody). I was listening to the conversation and one of them snatched up my notebook. Now I freaked out and grabbed it back nearly in tears and yelled at him don't ever touch my stuff I have Aspergers and I don't want you to ever touch my stuff or me (now you have to understand that its been fairly stressful for me at work lately with the big tour of the big upper management tour we had and other issues)now he apologized to me several times but now i feel silly. I freaked out at him, I couldn't help it I think i scared him a bit. I just sat there until they were gone with my notebook clutched in my hands holding it to my chest.

First of all I feel bad about freaking out on him.

Second I don't know what I might be able to do in the future (ideas would be nice) to stay out of that situation.

Third I never blurt out I have AS to anyone...so I am freaking out about that too. I needs help.

 

[Kelly]

Do you know why he snatched your notebook? Was there any conversation with you prior to that? Like teasingly asking stuff such as "what are you writing? Is that your diary?" etc. It sounds very childish whatever the reason, why snatch someone else's property, how old are they? 12 or something :rolleyes2:

The way I see it you have 2 options, you can just try and forget it and carry on as if nothing happened and see what he does or you can confront him, just get him alone sometime and just apologise for freaking out and ask him to keep the AS thing to himself see what he says. If he apologised alot at the time it sounds as if he was just joking around and didn't realise how much it would upset you, he's probably feeling just as unsure about the situation as you are.

If you don't feel able to do either of those could you speak to a co-worker or maybe your supervisor(I think you said they know about your AS) and just explain what happened and maybe they could have a word?

 

[smith2267]

Maybe he is paranoid and thinks you are taking notes to hurt him or other employees with. If you just tell one person you are comfortable with that you are writing a story, they will spread the word. NT's are amazing at spreading information. Then, with the mystery gone, maybe no one will care.
Also if you get in trouble for having AS, get a lawyer. Disability law protects us from discrimination.

 

[Arashi222]

Do you know why he snatched your notebook? Was there any conversation with you prior to that? Like teasingly asking stuff such as "what are you writing? Is that your diary?" etc. It sounds very childish whatever the reason, why snatch someone else's property, how old are they? 12 or something :rolleyes2:

The way I see it you have 2 options, you can just try and forget it and carry on as if nothing happened and see what he does or you can confront him, just get him alone sometime and just apologise for freaking out and ask him to keep the AS thing to himself see what he says. If he apologised alot at the time it sounds as if he was just joking around and didn't realise how much it would upset you, he's probably feeling just as unsure about the situation as you are.

If you don't feel able to do either of those could you speak to a co-worker or maybe your supervisor(I think you said they know about your AS) and just explain what happened and maybe they could have a word?

In the past we have joked about me writing him love letters when I am writing. But this had nothing to do with the conversation that was involving the other co-worker at the time. I just feel super bad about freaking out in the middle of the breakroom on him about him touch my stuff or me. I'm sure he already knew about my AS anyway even though I kinda blurted it out. He works in the deli with my ex-friend (the one that I wrote like a three page letter two with tips on how to relate to someone with AS) so I am sure that he already knew whether he knows what it means is another story. But I often feel like the grocery store employee atmosphere is often childish and highschoolish even in the older people. Its silly but true. He did apology a lot and asked me to forgive him later that he he realized he shouldn't have just grabbed my stuff without asking first. But its always hard because I feel like I did something wrong in not wanting him to take my stuff.

I thought about talking to the assistant store director about it but honestly, I don't want him in trouble and I just feel like its my fault for freaking out I should have been more prepared and not brought my story to work with me to work on while i was waiting for my shift to start. Its just been very stressful for everyone lately at work because of all the changes that are happening. I have been struggling a lot more because of all the changes. for example i put my foot down on them trying to have me come in on my normal day off to do some stupid training I was like no. I can't get there and its my day off I am keeping it.

Maybe he is paranoid and thinks you are taking notes to hurt him or other employees with. If you just tell one person you are comfortable with that you are writing a story, they will spread the word. NT's are amazing at spreading information. Then, with the mystery gone, maybe no one will care.
Also if you get in trouble for having AS, get a lawyer. Disability law protects us from discrimination.

I just really didn't want him to accidentally read it to be honest. I don't write for other people I write for me and its my way of getting out my stories in my head. He and I have joked in the past about writing love letters, but I was not involved with the other co-worker he was talking to when he grabbed my stuff.

I don't ever have trouble at work with my AS I just don't like broad casting it to the whole planet and that is my issue. I don't want everyone to know. I am not ashamed of it but I don't think its anyone's business either but my own and my supervisors and a few co-workers i have told to help them understand. Yes Smith I know about ADA in America I had to use that to get accommodations for my vision issues but this is more of me feel terrible about having a nice little freak out at someone just because he took my stuff without asking me if he could see it. I just feel awful and I fell bad that I basically sat there clutching it to my chest saying don't touch me or my stuff without asking me ever its mine I have AS and its one of my things not to do with me. If I give it to you that's a whole another ball game in my opinion. I just feel terrible and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions about how to respond to the situation. I mean I basically caused a bit of scene but then its my stuff so why should I feel bad. ugh social issues suck!