AIBU to think dismissal during probation was unfair given autism adjustments?

[SereneRoseRobin]

I’m looking for honest views because I’m not sure whether I’m being unreasonable or whether this was genuinely unfair.

I was recently dismissed from a graduate/analyst role after my probation was extended. I am autistic, and my employer knew this. I had raised the need for clear written instructions, defined objectives, examples of similar work, timelines, and timely/direct feedback. Some support was put in place, including coaching, but I don’t feel the actual adjustments were properly embedded or reviewed before the decision was made.

The difficult part is that the concerns raised about me seemed mainly to focus on communication style, professional behaviour, asking for clarification, Teams messages, and quality assurance under pressure — rather than on whether I could actually do the analytical work. Some recent written feedback said my analytical skills were good, that my work did not contain relevant errors, that I was taking ownership, and that I sought support appropriately. Another person said I had picked up on a complex project well.

The project I was criticised on was not straightforward. I was a first-year graduate with no prior experience in that sector, and I was assigned open-ended/data-heavy modelling work with a lot of ambiguity and short deadlines. Some outputs were expected within hours or by the next day, so there was not much time for structured review. I also didn’t always get timely feedback while I could still act on it. Some feedback came months after the work had ended.
My probation extension was meant to allow support and coaching to take effect, but I was dismissed before the extension period had fully ended. I had submitted evidence of improvement the day before the decision, but I don’t feel it was properly discussed or considered.
The coaching report apparently said the benefit of coaching should be assessed after a longer period, because performance can dip while new strategies embed.

I’m appealing because I think they didn’t properly separate disability-related communication issues from actual capability, didn’t give recent improvement enough weight, and didn’t consider alternatives such as letting the extension run, providing clearer QA/communication frameworks, assigning more standard analyst work, or redeploying me to a more suitable team.

I’m not saying I was perfect. I know there were areas to improve. But I feel like I was assessed against unclear expectations, on complex work, without the timely feedback and structure that had already been identified as necessary for me.

AIBU to think this was unfair and potentially linked to disability discrimination/failure to make reasonable adjustments? Or is this just how probation works, and I should accept it and move on?

I suppose the question is, do you genuinely want to work there long term? Is it the right job for you?

what else can i do?

It might not be the right environment for you - you could find another job in the same field?

How many more threads are you going to start on the same topic? You need professional advice not to keep pestering the good people of mn when you had over 70 replies on your earlier thread and are apparently not satisfied still. This is like thread 4 or something.

Did they provide written confirmation all of your requested accommodations would be met exactly as you asked for them?

Gently OP, some of them don't seem reasonable for a professional role. Graduates should be able to apply critical thinking to project objectives, evaluate and influence timelines, and complete projects where examples aren't available.

I would see direct and timely feedback as reasonable, ideally through a regular 1:1 structure. However quick feedback is not always possible for tasks that have a short turnaround time, and that needs to be taken in to account in your ways of working.

What do you mean? Find another job in a different environment that may be able to integrate the extra adjustments you need more easily into its work?

I mean, to me you are expecting a level of perfection in terms of the functioning of the workplace in terms of feedback, time to act on it, very explicit instructions etc etc that in my experience just doesn't always happen in RL workplaces working to a deadline under pressure, regardless of adaptations.

It just may be that this workplace, or this particular type of work isn't suited to your capacities.

Work isn’t a uni or school assessment, the probation periods are looking at how well you fit. Reasonable adjustments are just that, reasonable. The other team members are likely busy and don’t always have to he time to be providing extended coaching and what you call timely feedback above what’s usually expected. It’s better if reasonable adjustments focus on you and not put extra work/changes in team dynamics on to others. It may be that you just weren’t a good fit for this role.

Oh, duh, I hadn't realised this is the same poster who keeps starting variations of exactly the same thread.

OP, either act on it, or let it go.

I haven't seen the earlier threads.

Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities. Whether or not the adjustments that your employer made were sufficient is a question that could only really be tested properly in an employment tribunal. We don't have enough information here to say, and we don't have your employer's perspective on the situation.

How long was your probation period? Was it extended at all?

6 motnhs, extended to 9 months

Also didn't know about previous threads.

Move on.

So your probation period was already extended and you still didn't pass it? Is it possible OP that this just wasn't the role/job for you?

There must be at least three or four, all variations on the same thing.

the positive improvements from feedback i got from the probation extension were not regarded

Regardless if what we think , you think it’s unfair and have appealed the decision.

However, I’m not sure the job is a right fit for you. Maybe worth looking around for something else that suits you more.

why do u think its a poor fit

okay I’ve now read your other thread. I work in a similar area. Consultancy is fast paced, you need to be able to work independently, do your own research and be confident, even as a graduate. Senior consultants in your team are not going to have the time to be providing timely, structured feedback to the extent you seem to want. They have their own tasks to be doing and it’s pressured. Consultancy can be a good fit if you have AuDHD, I’m actually diagnosed with ASD and ADHD and have done well in this area but you have to find what you’re good at and not rely on others. If you’ve had probation extended and then still not passed this isn’t the company for you, that is very rare.

Ah, I now recognise this poster from a previous incarnation, because this is how she always responds to posters on here -- blunt, uncapitalised, unpunctuated brief questions, without the slightest acknowledgement or thanks that people have taken the time to reply to her.

I can't remember her previous username, but she used to post about being let go from a Big 4 firm after she failed a set of (possibly accountancy) exams? And stuff about some male colleague who used to mentor her losing interest?

It's always aggrieved stuff about a workplace from which she's been let go.

wdym

You are asking for a level of input and clarity that they can’t provide. It’s obviously flipping your unfairness switch but some jobs cannot be adjusted or adapted to particular needs. Improvement during the extended probation was obviously not enough to offset their concerns. I’m sorry- it’s obviously upsetting and disappointing for you. But some jobs are not a good fit and it’s better to find out sooner rather than later.

Bravo! 🤣👏

Just move on. You're going to encounter negative experiences in the workplace if you're autistic, it's how things are. Some places are accommodating to autistic people, most aren't. You will need to put it behind you even though it's unfair and you're struggling to process it.

To the other posters. Autistic people will go over and over and over the same problem repeatedly because it's how we process things. Repeatedly searching for an answer when one is not possible still provides the person with the space to talk and get it out of their system.

Most workplaces don't have the time or energy to put accommodations in place, even if they say they will. Some places will even say they are in place, when your experience is that they're not (it's a headfuck). Ultimately, workplaces don't give a shit, they just want the work done.

I think your posts are showing why it did not work for you. It sounds to me like you expected more work than was worth your input. They put things in place but you didn’t meet their expectations. The way you present professionally IS important and they obviously decided this did not fit.

reevaluate and find something that is a better fit for you.