Was hoping someone out there could help me, I'm constantly being ridiculed, harassed, and laughed at at work, just because I have Asperger's. I always thought it was something I had to just put up with, but maybe I'm wrong, maybe I don't have to put up with it anymore. I work for a large company ( it's well-known) I found this forum last week and it's nice to see that there are people like me who support one another.
Firstly something which is important to watch before you decide to take any further action is the respective levels of the employees who are harrassing you compared to yourself, if they are simply other people with the same position within the corporate hireachy then you should speak to your direct supervisor I would say, then it might be necaessary to also speak to their supervisors if that is a different person, although your supervisor may handle that part for you, if the people harrasing you are higher than yourself ie is your supervisor then you should speak to their boss (usually a manager of some kind) if it is someone outside of your direct line ie a supervisor so higher up, but not YOUR supervisor then you should speak to your supervisor he should forward it up and accross to the right person to deal with them. Of course it would also be wise to check if your company has a dedicated person or department which deals with employee issues before doing anything.
If whichever one of those is appropriate does not work try complaining to someone higher up, with luck if you have to get to this stage it will be resolved as going beyond that point while it should help get the issue involved does require involving 3rd parties and external organisations etc which unfortunately will probably not do much to make you popular with your bosses, if it gets to that stage it can be somwhat of a lose lose, however many compnies will attempt to deal with it properly before that needs to happern.
Anyway, maybe someone else can offer better advice than me so I suggest you wait around a while and see what others have to say before going ahead and taking me at face value on this as there might be better methods to try, do keep us up to date in the thread though with whatever happens and people can continue to offer you support and advice while you try to get this all straightened out because you should not have to put up with this, nor should you end up with this continuing the point you have trouble working in the company any more because harassment is just unacceptable anywhere.
First of all, it's good to hear from you, Nickolai. It's always good to hear from more like us.
Any discrimination is uncalled for. Do you live in the United States? Invoke the Americans with Disabilities Act, complain to your supervisors--or their superiors--and land , as it were, on these people for all they're worth. If it's a large company, they should have protocals in place for this sort of thing.
Nickolai, you don't have to put up with this treatment.
What country are you in, and are you in a union? If you aren't in a union I suggest that you join one as soon as possible.
If I were you I would approach the union and discuss it all so they can note it and give you advice.
Workplace bullies can claim that any incident was a 'one-off' unless you log it with someone to show that its long term harrassment.
It would be a very good idea to get a notebook and note down all the incidents together with the time and place, for future reference if you need it.
These people shouldn't be allowed to get away with what they are doing.
Definitely talk to your union, they're great in dealing with issues like this. Document every incident, as it'll help you if you claim a hostile work environment, which is what this is. Invoke the Americans with Disabilities Act as you're protected from any discrimination, which includes bullying in my opinion.
Have you tried telling these people, straight up, "I don't appreciate your comments. I am proud to be who I am. Leave me alone or I will be forced to take corrective action." Sometimes all it takes to stop a bully is a show of strength, and that you are not afraid.
If you've tried being assertive in your own defense, and that has not worked, I would take it up with a supervisor or union representative.
It is important that you be comfortable in the work environment so that you can do the best job that you are able. Do not allow the bullies to force you into failure. I've seen it happen, and it is bad for everyone. The company does not want that for itself, or for you. They have systems in place to fix situations like this; use them.
Bullies at work wanted to see me fail and leave but I am still there (it wasn't easy) and it involved getting a diagnosis of Aspergers. Had I not had this diagnosis, they might well have succeeded.
What surprised me was how many other people left because of these same bullies and they seemed to be much stronger people than me. I found the union useless because the rep. was in league with the bullies but in other workplaces, the union would be a big help so it is worth trying.
You know what really annoys me? I get told off for tiny tiny mistakes (or even for just doing things a bit differently) but other people are lazy and noisy and make bigger mistakes and nothing seems to happen to them?
I don't know if this is harassment as such but it even happened today and I still think I was in the right (but I'll do what I was told and if anything goes wrong, it won't be my fault).
I think much of it could be an Aspie trait but it can also be a sign of perfectionism.
There is a fellow where I work who follows instructions to the absolute letter. He tells everybody that's what he's doing and that if he gets into any trouble for making a mistake "well, that's what management told me".
I find I make mistakes when given contradictory instructions by different people. Maybe I should ask for it in writing always but some people think that is being a smart aleck.
Ellen, lots of stuff. I sometimes don't know how I've managed to stick it out for so long but given how hard it is to find jobs nowadays, there is no option but to stay. Things have improved a fair bit in the last couple of years, especially after I obtained an official diagnosis of Asperger's. Now they know I wasn't intentionally trying to be difficult, that I wasn't stupid or mad, and that with just a few little accommodations, I can be one of their best workers.
Hi,
I'm not as familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act as I am with the UK version, but there is a good chance you might be covered under that legislation - perhaps this is worth checking out?
Bullying and Harrassment, whatever form it takes, shoult NEVER be tolerated.
http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/
No, it's bad enough having to put up with being treated like shite at school, when you're an adult, you expect to be treated with more respect. Unfortunately that isn't always the case and it helps to know what your rights are so you can argue your case if it comes to it.
Or maybe she just had a bad attitude...