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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I have Aspergers and I am about to fail my probation at work for 'not being a team player'

203 replies

hopelessme · 18/12/2018 21:05

I'm heartbroken really.

I've been in my new job 6 months now and my 3 month probation report went well and I was told there were no problems etc. My 6 month review comes and my manager told me that my 'conduct is unacceptable'.

She reeled off a load of examples including me not offering to help a colleague out when they were overwhelmed with work, not offering to make others a drink when I make myself one, not contributing to conversations, taking the last of the milk and not replacing it among other things. She said that she needed staff to be team players as the team is a close and friendly team who help each other out and they find me very frustrating. She said that I was inconsiderate of others and was not committed to the growth of the team. The general idea of the conversation is that I'm self cantered and not a team player.

I've been told I need to work on my contribution to the team and I shall be reviewed in 4 weeks time. She knows I have Aspergers syndrome and I was diagnosed just 12 months ago after waiting years to be diagnosed. I am female and come across initially articulate and confident so people don't realise I have Aspergers and it is very common for me to be wrongly thought of as arrogant and selfish.

Obviously legally I could take this further but I don't want to and that's my decision.

However I am so sad. All I wanted was to have a job I enjoyed and was successful at and I tried so hard to be the best worker I could be and still failed miserably.

Although the male members of staff have been much more understanding of me and I have found them a sense of support and shall stay in contact.

I have done quite a bit of work around how to behave at work but in reality social norms and especially unwritten office rules are incredibly hard for me to master and it is always going to be something I struggle with. I shall learn from this experience and see where I could work on understanding office culture better.

AIBU to feel that while my actions may have seemed inconsiderate or selfish, a bit of understanding that this is a symptom of an employee with Aspergers should be expected? Surely if you're actively going to employ someone with Aspergers you know that symptoms they have. Or is my manager reasonable as whatever the cause of my actions, the action is still undesirable.

Whatever happens now I do think it's sad she has presumed me to be inconsiderate and selfish when I'm not at all.

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 19/12/2018 21:10

Do you like it there? They should have raised these issues way before, so that you could have more time to work on them. Sounds like they are finding petty excuses to get rid of you. They have to be accommodating towards your disability, they don't sound like they are, it is not an employer that I would like to work for in your position.

Joboy · 19/12/2018 21:13

Do leave. the team like you . Manager leave. Take to HR .

Aeroflotgirl · 19/12/2018 21:19

Ahhh just read your update, that is lovely, sounds like it is her problem, not yours, and she may be jealous, or just does not like you. She is the one that does not sound like a team player to me. Keep in touch with the ones that were nice.

Daisychainsandglitter · 19/12/2018 21:21

Please don't think you've failed OP. You have another 4 weeks to turn this around.
It is up to your employer to make reasonable adjustments and they knew that you had Asperger's when they employed you.
I know you say you don't have the energy but I really would take it up with HR as I feel you're being discriminated against. Also I think some of the points your manager raised are minor things. Thanks to you and I really hope things work out

LadyRenoir · 19/12/2018 21:26

I don't have Aspergers and I would not be doing a lot of those things anyways. In my work everyone makes themselves a drink- you take a cup, pour some water in and voila. The only time I offered when a colleague was very upset about an interaction with a customer and burst in tears, otherwise no one is bothered by such things. I talk to people when it's something I have something to say about. I do my work and don't except for people to do it for me, and in the same way everyone does their own work. Your manager seems very unreasonable.

TheMincePiesAreMine · 19/12/2018 21:52

@DogDaysAreRover thanks very much for that.

OP how lovely. I would be tempted to give it a bit longer as she may not stay your manager long at this rate! Personally I'd hate a culture of gift giving in the workplace - what do you give back in return, do you have to buy specific thoughtful things for each different person? Nightmare. But the underlying message is kind.

Strongmummy · 19/12/2018 22:57

Fabulous update OP. It’s a shame you still feel you need to leave. I’d really urge you speak to HR. It is of course your decision

tildaMa · 20/12/2018 00:41

@hopelessme

One thing to keep in mind: people often don't leave the job, they leave the manager.
Unfortunately usually it takes a long time for someone higher up to notice that the manager is the problem, not individual workers.

NotCitrus · 20/12/2018 12:17

Great to hear your update. Could a couple of the team go to your manager's manager with you or on your behalf, to express their concern? Or to HR? It might be possible to change managers so you work for one of the nice team.

Have other team members had similar experiences with your manager?

IME it's often people who most claim to be a 'people person' who have the least understanding of people who are different to them.

woollyheart · 20/12/2018 13:40

@NotCitrus yes, you are right. People who think they are people people are often just extrovert. They don't always tolerate people who don't keep to their rules.

ChristmassyContessaConSparkles · 20/12/2018 13:44

I'm really glad to read that your team have made it clear that they like you! Would you stay if the manager changed her attitude? I would hope that others in your team might have been motivated to speak up on your behalf - after all, if she's mischaracterising you then she could quite easily do the same to any of them.

Needsmorebeans · 20/12/2018 21:37

So pleased to hear your update. Sounds like your team needs a new manager, not a new team member! I hope you.use their support to encourage you to raise this with HR, both you and your team members deserve better management. Whatever you decide to do, join a union so you have dome support in the future.

Zevitevitchofcwsmas · 21/12/2018 06:18

I'm sure it's been mentioned but this is discrimination agaisnt you op esp as they know you have aspergers.

They should have policies in place about treating people fairly and not judging them on what they cannot do. There is some legal act she's going agaisnt.

Zevitevitchofcwsmas · 21/12/2018 06:19

The managers attitude is more than a bad attitude it's simply illegal.

All work places have to.. Within reason be accommodating of others disabilities or difficulties.

BlueSuffragette · 21/12/2018 06:56

Seems sad that you are thinking that you will leave. Your update seems to show the problem is just with your manager. With support from HR the situation with the manager could improve a lot as they are in the wrong and need training. Shame you still feel that you want to leave.

TheBaltictriangle · 21/12/2018 07:05

She still needs to be reported for discrimination as she will repeat herself. This is your golden opportunity to teach the unprofessional manager a lesson in discrimination. If you want to leave then find another job and on your last day report her to HR & give them a copy of your report.

MadameGerbil · 21/12/2018 07:08

I received Access to Work funding (from DWP job centre plus) when I started my job. One of the things they paid for was some coping strategies training (for Neuro-diverse people) through an organisation called "Genius Within". The coach i had was so helpful & what I also learnt was about the strength i didn't know I had and just took for granted like analytical thinking and attention to detail. There is also a programme called "Fit for work" that can also support. Remploy are another organisation who might be able to help. Hope the situation at work improve & ask for HR support.

TheBaltictriangle · 21/12/2018 07:09

thegirlwiththecurlyhair.co.uk

rabbitfoodadvocate · 21/12/2018 07:17

Nobody wants you to leave apart from this strange character! You've got plenty of support, so I say launch a complaint about falsified probation review information and feel proud of yourself!

malificent7 · 21/12/2018 07:23

She has issues with the fact that you didn't replaxe the milk....what the actual fuck? You are not a tea lady.
Discrimination i rekon...do you want to be part of their clique? As that what it is .

malificent7 · 21/12/2018 07:24

Saw updates...its no clique...just the manager.

HarrySnotter · 21/12/2018 07:28

Oh I feel really bloody mad on your behalf!

Please don't take this lying down they are really discriminating against you, not to mention being utter, utter bastards.

Clankboing · 21/12/2018 07:29

My children have aspergers. I am so pleased your colleagues did this! Please consider acas!

BBCONEANDTWO · 21/12/2018 07:29

I don't see how are you? not offering to make everyone else a drink is anything unusual. I always just make my own drink but I always fill up the kettle when it's getting empty.

Replacing the milk is actually a bit annoying but not the end of the world.

I don't join in conversations at work all the time - guess why - I have work to do!

If your colleague was overwhelmed it would be nice of you to offer to help but your colleague needs to ASK - not just you but everyone in the office - why didn't she just say - hey everyone I'm struggling can anyone give me a hand?

Please don't beat yourself up about this because I think it sounds like your manager is in the wrong.

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