Aspies For Freedom

Not yet, but there is a very high chance I will lose my job very soon.

My job changed, it is no longer the job I signed up for.

I no longer do much coding or code trouble shooting (the aspects of my job I was always very good at).
That task gets contracted out to cheaper labor in Asia.

I do more analysis, design, and work small parts of multiple projects as opposed to a deep focus on one system.

I have struggled for the last 7 years, since this trend started, and it just keeps getting worse.
I have not yet been fired, but I expect it any time.
Considering the multiple rounds of work force eliminations, I am surprised I do still have my job.  
It is those few instances where something needs trouble shooting, and those assigned the job can not figure it out, and it gets passed on to me.
I am really good at code trouble shooting.
But that is only a very small subset of my job description.

So why haven't I just found myself a new job?
Fear, insecurity, knowledge that those I now work with do know my value, and have learned to overlook some of my quirks.
But there has been just enough turn over, that this may no longer be the case.
I am also, for the first time in my career, actually failing at my job task.
My failure is not at all technical, it is a lack of ability to push the people who are supposed to provide the information I need to do my job.
It is the first time that my Business Analyst partner has not done all of this for me.


I should try to find a job I like, that I am a better fit for.
But my social quirks (as I call them), lack of communication and organization skills means I do NOT meet the criteria listed on almost ALL jobs I find.

Try to find a job description, for a software engineer or computer programmer, that does NOT mention good communication skills, as a major required skill?
I have heard that Aspies make good programmers.
I excelled at this in school, and on my job prior to the task being contracted out to Asia.
But I can't find a job, in this area, that does NOT also have a communication/leadership component mentioned in the job requirements.
[/u]

Start your own. Programmers get paid on results not quirks. There is the internet. This is the same problem fror my son who creates lines upon lines of code. So my solution for my son, and is worth considering, super modification or invaluable add on of some commercially (and free ) software available on-line with the appropriate web design for instant download (for a price). I know of someone (lost contact) who did precisely that. The original program was crap, but it was modified for a different use. And made heaps. Or web design or whatever, theres heaps of different things.

I couldn't even get to first base in my teaching practicals since I was deemed to have a lack of social skills in interactions with staff members. This was in spite of being superior in nearly every way by their own admission. (knowledge, content, preparation, student invovlement, teaching style, presentation, organization etc). I am considering a court case over this issue.

yes...two months ago...It was mentioned but the official document said the usual.....
Actually made stuff up.......Don't get it

OK Lets see what it takes to succeed in a Job. 12 Workplace Marcheviallian rule (Satire, Tongue in Cheek)
(The sad fact this is more often than not the reality at most workplaces)

1. Be the life of the party.
2. Have an amazing repetoire of funny one liners.
3. Drink like a fish without falling over.
4. Bullshit your way out of any attempt to pin the blame on you.
5. Pin the blame on someone who won't fight back.
6. Toady to management that you are doing the work.
7. Neglect to mention you pinched your subordinates successful project. It's yours.
8. Blame the subordinate for the last failure.
9. If anything goes wrong always blame something or someone.
10. cultivate a network of cronies as an early warning system.
11.  Use the cronies to harass and intimidate others who may be a threat.
12.  Never let a chance go by to undermine someones confidence.
13.  Always have a fall guy when the worst is to happen. (Get caught)

Hopefull no-one works in such a workplace. This is what a typical workplace psychopath gets up to behind your back.

I'm in the process of being removed, albeit slowly and as legally as they can possibly do it, from my job.  And while that's not the official reason (when I was questioned, there was no official reason other than that the star employee has her eyes on my position), I can't help but feel that's the case.

They feel this person could "better integrate herself into the team"  which, under this set of circumstances, is saying to me, "She's normal.  You're not.  And we don't like it.  So thanks for the effort, but...see ya."

After a year of hard work and excellent reviews, I'm feeling betrayed and extremely frustrated about this whole thing...and I have no idea what to do anymore.

Ah the old you are not part of the team one. I think my satire of the workplace may actually be closer to the mark than I thought. This type of psychopathic employee survive and prosper well in a business. They just aren't of any benefit to it. Or worse, they can create a catastrophic failure of the entire business.

Best advice. Look for something else while you are still working there. Its a darn sight harder if you aren't.

Cyberoptics when you are posting would it be too much trouble to use simple paragraphs? I cannot comprehend large blocks of text. And a few others cannot either.

Thanks for your posts, CyberOptics2.    I enjoyed reading them, and share many of your thoughts and feelings.