New job and aspergers.

[MyPatronusIsAUnicorn]

I have just got a job! Yay me. I haven't worked in many years. As well as aspergers, I also have ME/CFS so excited about work but a bit apprehensive at the same time.

I went through the guaranteed interview scheme, where if you meet the minimum criteria and tick the disability box, you will definitely get an interview. I stated my ME and aspergers on the application form. I did wonder whether this was the right thing to do, but it worked as they offered it to me, part time hours as well when they were looking for someone full time.

Have you disclosed your aspergers to your employer? Will they already be aware seeing as it was on my application or would it need saying again? (If I choose to of course, I think they do need to know about the ME). Have you had any reasonable adjustments made? If so what were they?

After they offered it to me, she said "I have a personal question to ask that you do not have to answer, but do you want part time for childcare reasons?" I was honest and said no, it was for health reasons. She will be my line manager so she is aware of health issues with me. I am confused as to why she asked that. What would she have said if I had said it was for childcare?

It could be that most women who want part-time want it because of childcare reasons? She knows about your ASD, but may not realise how it can impact you day-to-day. They sound like a decent company, so I'm sure they'll be understanding.

Could be, but I'm not sure why they need to know that after they had offered me the job. Maybe them knowing it is for health reasons rather than childcare will mean they will be more accommodating to the hours I need?

They do sound like a decent company. I have had 2 interviews for positions with this company and each time I have asked the panel wnat they like about working for this company and every single answer praised what a good company it is and how it is flexible and really cares about its employees, that's why I have focussed on trying to get a job with them. Being a working mother with aspergers and ME, I need an understanding employer!

I disclosed before I started my new job. I feel like my manager is conscious of my needs and her door is open (so to speak) if I need to talk to her. I do think most women chose PT hours because of childcare (I did but actually I'm far better doing that for the work/life balance). I wonder if there's a possibility of overtime? For example, I might be offered overtime in my job, I would usually say no because of childcare issues. They might just have been gauging if you would be up for extra hours in the future?
Congratulations on the job, hope it goes well!

Thanks. Haven't heard about hours yet but I'm happier for it to take longer as DCs will have to go into holiday club and I want to spend some time with them as they only broke up today.

I want to be upfront I think, just so if I have any difficulties later on, I'm not 'springing' this information on them. Hopefully I will be fine. There didn't seem like many people around, lots of space so no crowding and not noisy. No public in which is great so only people I would have to deal with are colleagues and people by phone. Suits me very well.