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 understand the reason for recording (though in future you should really notify all on the call). but apology to whoever complained is a simple thing to do.

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.

This is the job though. Whether or not you can actually do the analytical work is only half the job. The other half is communication skills, taking instructions, etc. If you can't handle that part, or weren't picking it up well enough to the extent that they extended your probation to give you more time to learn, it doesn't really matter whether or not you can do the other part of the job (the analytical stuff).

I had raised the need for clear written instructions, defined objectives, examples of similar work, timelines, and timely/direct feedback

These would not be reasonable adjustments in every workplace. I work in finance and it would not be reasonable in our setting - many instructions and tasks are given verbally, and much of the rest is initiative and common sense picking up on context clues or from asking a (limited) number of direct questions to determine deadlines and objectives.

You have failed probation. A reasonable adjustment was made by extending it and you did not pass that. The key point here is reasonable. Do you really want to force your way back into a workplace by claiming discrimination? You think the atmosphere is bad now??? Imagine that. This job is not for you. Move on.

OK, so you were good at the analytical side of the role but you struggled with communication style and professional conduct. Those seem to me to be quite major aspects of any consulting role - your analysis isn't worth much if you cannot communicate it in a professional and effective manner. So I find myself wondering if you were actually only able to do one small aspect of the job rather than the whole job?

If the support you require to perform your duties exceed the benefits of the output of your intervention, then it isn't worth for them to keep you. That's that.

Autism probably mean you struggle to comprehend that from your employer perspective, you are nothing more than a pawn, one they have to look after, but still mainly just a number. You are not special. Beyond meeting their legal requirements, they are not to go above what they are prepared to just to help one individual to meet their personal aspirations.

You have to tell people that you are recording them and the fact than you didn’t apologise after making a massive error and are still defensive is exactly the type of reason you were let go.

In my role, recording a call without notifying the participants in advance and allowing people to refuse consent would be misconduct.

If the recorded call included personal data or customer data it could be gross misconduct even if the person wasnt on probation.

Extending probation is never a good sign, and im sorry youre distressed by this. But it sounds like there were issues beyond your RA needs

Sums up better what I was about to write.

Lily?

Op, how recent was this, as I’m sure I’ve seen the same threads multiple times over a long period. Where it was a big 4, and was there nor more going on, anxiety or something?

“rather than on whether I could actually do the analytical work”

There is more to being good at your job than this.

Next job you get, join a trade union.

You sound very cruel and very old school- same approach for everyone. Thankfully a number of companies are willing to make the adjustments because they appreciate that having people with ND can a positive impact on business.

Definitely take this advice on board. This company doesn’t seem like the right place for you. You need a supportive employer. It might take you longer to find one, but you will find one.

There are hundreds of thousands of other jobs you could do. Millions.

The level of adjustment that you required sounds unreasonable and suggests that the job is beyond your capability, at least at the present time. You would probably do better to start with something less demanding to build your experience up and develop your coping strategies.

I have AuDHD and there are some jobs/careers that I would never be able to do because the level of adjustment required is beyond what an employer could reasonably provide and I just don’t have the ability, regardless of being ND. Equally, being neurodivergent doesn’t exempt you from needing to communicate and work with others in an appropriate way eg apologising for recording people without their consent, even if you personally don’t believe you did anything wrong.

I agree with PPs that schools and universities create unrealistic expectations in terms of what support and adjustments are available.

As an example, if you are neurotypical and struggle with maths then you won’t get a job as an accountant. But it seems now that a lot of neurodivergent people who are bad at maths will insist that the employer is duty bound to give them special help with their maths as a “reasonable adjustment” because they have the right to be an accountant.

Hopefully OP can find one of those.

This sort of graduate role isn’t for you right now. I’d look for a lower-level job where you can build on your skills, master the job on the production and communication side, and work your way up. Perhaps civil service - but not graduate entry. NHS or schools might be good too.

I have always thought this too.

Adjustments can only be a to a point, you still need people who can do the job. It's not a training program, it's a job. Other members of staff are busy with their own workload, they are not there to be a full time tutor.

You would be the first one to complain if people you are dealing with in real life would be unsuitable.

All of this.

Exactly my thoughts.

I sympathise. But the employer is the one who pays your salary and it looks like they think you arent the right person for this particular job. As somebody else said they just want the work done.

Why did you do this? And can you not see why it was inappropriate? That would be a disciplinary matter where I work.

Have you been dismissed from multiple organisations or just the one?

Any job is the sum of all parts - not just the anaytical skills. Your communication skills, how you work with others, how you update people, how you respond to feedback etc als o play a big part.

In terns of reasonable adjustment, companies can only go so far. It's not all on the company.
What steps did you also put in place yourself to help you?

This is over. You can't go back and won't win the appeal.

I still can't understand why you would record something without asking first and then not offer an apology afterwards. This piece is key. We all make mistakes but we are expected to apologise when we do. Why didn't you?

Your autism is clear impacting your ability to keep a role, if you have been dismissed a number of times.

For your next role, it would be work cobtacting agencies and organisation who support people with autism. Auticon, National Autistic Society, Neurodiversity jobs UK etc.

Employment is a two way process. Everything isn't your employers responsibility. You need to put the effort in too.

Before applying for a few role, look at their feedback from a non-defensive position.

Understand why you did wrong, understand why you could have done differently and what you need to do so similar doesn't happen again.

You could even try practice your communication skills in how you respond on this thread. Starting a thread, and ignoring post of the advice does suggest your communication skills are good. If your communicate style in similar in the workplace, I understand why you are struggling.

I think you need to see the advice and support of the agencies dedigned to help you.