Autistic in the Civil Service

loughgiel · 16-07-2023 8:44am #1

Hi all,

I've joined the CS 3 months ago and I was wondering what kind of supports are there for people with autism, and whether are there other people with autism in the CS.

I am in the closet regarding my disability as I've heard people at work -- my line manager in this case -- make remarks about people as "being too autistic" or "on the spectrum" whenever they didn't engage with her in the way she wants. People in my team are also very outspoken about their prejudices (they'll make remarks about customers of foreign backgrounds, use words like "retard" and "autistic" to talk about people that they don't like, openly criticise initiatives related to Pride or make pejorative comments about gay people, etc.

What I struggle with the most is when people in work want to know personal details about my life such as family life and relationships, which I find painfully inappropriate considering we're at work and they are just looking to judge me anyway, but nobody talks about their actual interests or easy stuff like Netflix or hobbies. I also struggle with the noise and the constant interruptions to talk about semi-work related stuff while the real work is piling up. Also there is nowhere near the office to take a break other than the canteen with other 40 people speaking at the same time.

I feel that I was unlucky with the division I was assigned to, the CS seems to pride itself over being an inclusive place but clearly that doesn't extend to all offices. Does anyone have any advice on what I could do to cope until probation is over?

Oscar Madison · 16-07-2023 9:32am

All inclusive places to work is just false advertising!

People are still people with their likes & dislikes. We haven't been programed yet in what way

to think but they're working on it!

What you are experiencing is the reality of a working life. In trying to be inclusive with you,

you are being critical of others & not willing to be inclusive!

You want a room on your own so you can be ex-clusive.

Life unfortunately doesn't work that way!

Tavrin Callas · 16-07-2023 9:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857386#Comment_120857386

Sorry, but that's a bit of a crap and unempathetic attitude. Basically "suck it up"! You've no idea how difficult it can be being autistic in a neurotypical world.

OP, most organisations will make "reasonable accommodations" for autistic people. I don't know much specifically about the Civil Service, but if they promote (even if they don't practise) inclusivity then I would imagine that they have that policy. Probably the first port of call would be to HR, or, is there a Staff Welfare Officer you can speak to? Unfortunately, reasonable accommodations don't always solve everything, but it might make things a bit better, and you can look to move to a better department at the earliest opportunity to do so.

xeresod · 16-07-2023 9:46am

You've really shot yourself in your foot here - instead of hiding it you should have included on the disability/reasonable accommodation form that would have been included with all your starting paperwork. How can you expect inclusion when you've not indicted you have special needs.

Contact your DLO (disability liaison officer) in your departments HR and go from there. Alternatively contact the Employee Assistance Service and they'll go to the DLO on your behalf. The DLO will work with your line management to get you the supports you need without disclosing the exact nature of your disability. And remember this for future jobs...it's up to you to tell HR you have additional needs, nobody can accommodate them otherwise.

CoBo55 · 16-07-2023 9:51am

When you say "I'm in the closet regarding my disability" does anybody know you're autistic, did you disclose it when applying for the job? Have you been properly assessed? You really need to speak to your supervisor and tell them of your situation rather than grind it out until you pass probation. Can you see yourself sticking this job until you retire?

jaffa20 · 16-07-2023 9:58am

https://www.cseas.per.gov.ie/

Mrs OBumble · 16-07-2023 10:09am

I don't believe the OP.

Because they claim that people use the R word.

The rest is believable (though silly not to have declared the need for accommodation at the application time).

But not that bit.

And the remarks about people being on the spectrum. Well, yes, it's a spectrum. We're all on it.

RurtBeynolds · 16-07-2023 10:24am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857386#Comment_120857386

Utter BS. Maybe they just want to work in an environment where the word 'autistic' isn't used as a pejorative? Where they can be open about who they are without feeling judged about it?

Gumbo · 16-07-2023 10:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857510#Comment_120857510

That’s the problem. The OP hasn’t been open. How can people accommodate you if you don’t tell them you need to be accommodated.

RurtBeynolds · 16-07-2023 11:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857535#Comment_120857535

The OP should not be required to tell other people personal details of themselves in order to not have to listen to prejudiced remarks in the workplace.

If the op was gay and came here asking for advice about colleagues using language like fag etc. Would people here really be saying "well did you not tell them you were gay when you applied? " or "well how do they know to not do that if you aren't open about being gay?"

Ridiculous nonsense.

Tavrin Callas · 16-07-2023 12:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857471#Comment_120857471

And the remarks about people being on the spectrum. Well, yes, it's a spectrum. We're all on it.

Please! If someone says "they're on the spectrum" they NEVER mean on the neurotypical end of the spectrum. They mean it pejoratively, as an insult. To indicate something weird about them. Never as something sympathetic, or to indicate that they may need special consideration.

Gumbo · 16-07-2023 12:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857711#Comment_120857711

That’s your opinion, which you are entitled to.

I never mentioned once about mentioning it in any application or telling “other people” so cop on and read the posts.

The OP is looking for supports from the Civil Service, yet they haven’t told the CS that they actually need the support.

ridiculous nonsense.

Jim2007 · 16-07-2023 12:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857386#Comment_120857386

Crap is the word that comes to mind. And as a supervisor I often found that people use those kind of arguments to justify their own bad behavior!

CoBo55 · 16-07-2023 12:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857711#Comment_120857711

Well, for their own future comfort in the job they really should tell their employer that they're autistic and something could be done. Grinding it out until the probation is over shouldn't be their target.

Oranage2 · 16-07-2023 12:48pm

I worked in the CS and the word retard was used often eneb when we had a disabled person on our team. The CS doesn't pay well and it attracts everyone from all walks of life.

Trevorfromtheshoppingcentre · 16-07-2023 1:32pm

Hi OP,

Sorry to hear that you're having a tough time. Is there any scope to get more/time WFH.

My SO is autistic and WFH changed their life. Like some others have said I would recommend talking to a disability liaison.

defiantdancer · 16-07-2023 4:38pm

I am sorry that you are having such a hard time. As other people have said, you really do need to speak to your line manager. I spoke to my line manager about my noise sensitivity. I was always aware I was sensitive to noise but it really flared up as our office is beside a very busy road. They have allowed me to listen to my headphones which has helped immensely. I play instrumental music so I can focus on my work & emails & it really helps with resetting my nervous system. Maybe that might be an option if you discuss it with your manager? It would mean less distractions for you & more ability to focus on your work. Best wishes.

tringle · 19-07-2023 6:27am

Yes, talk to the Disability Liaison Officer and see if they can arrange specific accommodation for you. It may or may not have to be disclosed to your manager or they may well be able to find another more suitable role or suitable place for you. I worked in three civil service departments and in each we had individuals with special accommodations including autism. Best of luck.

TaurenDruid · 20-07-2023 12:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857711#Comment_120857711

Um, no. You don't need special accommodations because you're gay. You may need some special considerations if you have a recognised disability (and like it or not (many people with autism don't like it), autism is regarded as a disability.

TaurenDruid · 20-07-2023 12:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058305244/autistic-in-the-civil-service

Using language like that about minorities, gay people, people with disabilities, etc., would be completely unacceptable anywhere I've worked in the civil service in the last 20-something years. So your workplace is very much atypical, at least in my experience.

I would second other posters here - if you've not told people you need accommodations, they can't guess. Talk to your DLO, or your Employee Assistance officer. I would also suggest looking to move to blended working as soon as possible - most departments and agencies are offering at least 2 days working from home, many are on 3 days WFH, and it's a game-changer, having no commute and being able to work without being disturbed!

Whatdoyoumean · 20-07-2023 12:44pm

Hi OP,

My advice (similar to what other poster said) would be to speak to the DLO in your HR section.

Usually, new entrants declare this in their reasonable accommodation form to PAS, then PAS would flag this to the Department before you start. You mention about being in the closet (as such) regarding your status, so I can understand if you didn’t want to declare this at the outset. Generally, if HR had awareness of someone needing specific accommodations, they would work with the new assignee before they start.

You could also reach out to the CS Employee Assistance Service to see is there any advice they could give you.

In terms of the CS being inclusive, that may not be the rule across the board. The CS is so large and office culture can vary greatly dependant on the Dept, office, section etc. I have personally worked in really great Departments and sections, some not so great. One thing I would say is that CS mobility allows people to move around once you have two years done.

AndrewJRenko · 20-07-2023 4:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857471#Comment_120857471

'Retard' as an insult isn't unusual at all with the 30-40 somethings that learned it from Jackass on MTV.

It's absolutely believable to me.

OP should tread carefully about deciding to disclose their disability. Disclosure is indeed the route to appropriate accommodations. It may well have other downsides for the OP. It's not a simple decision.

Wanderer78 · 20-07-2023 6:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120857471#Comment_120857471

fcuking hell, some neurotypicals really haven't a fcuking clue, and are just ignorant as fcuk!

yes its a spectrum, and no, not all humans are on it, most in fact are not, so no, you re actually completely wrong!

disclosing a disability is actually a tricky one, its very unlikely a person would get passed the interview stage, and in some cases wont even make it to that stage, by disclosure, this leads many to simply hide their disability, this is in fact our reality, and you d wonder why some research shows a significantly high rates of long term unemployment with many common disabilities, asd included, some studies showing an unemployment rate of up to 80%, with the disorder!

this is a tricky one op, unfortunately many employment environments simply arent adapted for us on the spectrum, by all means request what you need, employers must make some sort of provisions for you, not only are you on probation, but during this period, you must also ask is the environment a good one for you to...

finding the right employment environment is extremely difficult for us, hence why there are specialised support groups for such things, i obtain supports from such a group myself, theyre invaluable services....

definitely try start using aids to reduce your sensory issues, noise cancelling headphones etc, i use to find going to the toilet from time to time very helpful, just to get some personal space, not ideal, but....

.....best of luck....

Autistic in the Civil Service

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