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Work very critical of DH, but did not know he has ASD - discriminatory?

158 replies

WhatNext321 · 06/12/2024 11:49

My DH has just had his appraisal at work. He has ASD, though his work doesn't know, as the diagnosis was only formally made in the last few years and at the time DH didn't feel the need to disclose this. His appraisal details what they perceive as his shortfalls in performance in relation to his communication and social interactions. It was all done in a very personal, and in my opinion, harsh, manner. E.g, many examples of "colleague A says this about you" and "colleague B says that about you".

If DH informs work about his diagnosis, can what was written in his appraisal be seen as discriminatory? The tone of the appraisal was very much "we have great concerns regarding your communication, if it doesn't improve, you'll lose your job", but was not explicitly said.

Any thoughts about what DH can do? DH is extremely worried about his job security and is very stressed out. He already works very long hours, seven days a week, most weeks.

OP posts:
Isitisit · 06/12/2024 11:58

As others have said it’s not discriminatory if they don’t know about it. If he tells them it may affect how they move forward with any performance management so they can make reasonable adjustments.

Gettingbysomehow · 06/12/2024 11:55

He should have told them as soon as he found out. You are at risk if you don't disclose something that can affect your work. They will want to know why he didn't say anything.

Motnight · 06/12/2024 11:55

Your DH also needs to stop working 7; days a week, Op. He will burn out.

Onceachunkymonkey · 06/12/2024 11:54

It can’t be discrimation if they don’t know op and it can’t be classed as discrimatory in retrospect.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 06/12/2024 11:53

Concerns about his communication will still exist, he needs to work with his team on how to overcome this and find ways (taking in to account his asd) to improve.

they need to support him to do his job but ultimately he needs to be able to do the job

GiveItAGoMalcom · 06/12/2024 11:53

No, of course it can't be seen as discrimination retrospectively.

If he now wants to divulge his ASD, he should ask for a meeting with his line manager and talk it out from there.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 06/12/2024 11:52

Work can’t adjust/ make exceptions due to a condition if they don’t know about it. Therefore if he wants asd to be taken into account for assessing his performance then he needs to disclose it.

you might change their mind on his appraisal but you can’t say they acted in a discriminatory manner if they didn’t know.

Soontobe60 · 06/12/2024 11:52

What has changed since his last appraisal?