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Abyssalrider
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15 Jul 2016, 7:48 am

I recently got hired for a job as a pool attendant at the water park of a semi-local hotel, the first of two orientations is on the 23rd, but being that much of it is talking to hotel-guests, checking wristbands, giving directions etc. I'm kind of wondering if i should tell my boss/co-workers I have Asperger's or not, while it would make it easier for them to correct any potential mistakes i might make while working, it also seems like a potential reason not to finalize hiring me as the job is basically socially-oriented and centered around keeping guests happy and pleased with their stay (i'm neither a people-pleaser nor exactly social when it comes to other adults), so I don't know if I want them to know or not. None of my classmates (excluding friends) knew, but most of them treated me like crap anyway. I'm probably overthinking it, and should at least inform my future manager, but can't make up my mind, so i figured i'd ask for other opinions.



kraftiekortie
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17 Jul 2016, 2:00 pm

You probably shouldn't tell your boss. Most people are ignorant and stupid about autism.



sunnyinaus
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19 Jul 2016, 3:53 am

If you were to tell them, I wouldn't do it before your probation period is over.



enz
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19 Jul 2016, 4:20 am

No, if they think they have to treat you differently that's there issue



Chelsie
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19 Jul 2016, 8:22 pm

Tell them once you have shown them how hard you work and how good you can be at doing it. Everyone makes mistakes. Having Asperger's shouldn't be the issue for them.



izzeme
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22 Jul 2016, 3:08 am

don't tell him.
if there are some symptoms that you expect to be problems and where your employer can help with; mention those and those only, don't forget to include the proposed solution in the discussion.
something like: "i have problems looking into the reflections of water; but wearing polarized sunglasses fixes that".



MissDorkness
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22 Jul 2016, 8:23 am

izzeme wrote:
don't tell him.
if there are some symptoms that you expect to be problems and where your employer can help with; mention those and those only, don't forget to include the proposed solution in the discussion.
something like: "i have problems looking into the reflections of water; but wearing polarized sunglasses fixes that".

Yeah, my last job, I just told my boss "I sometimes miss the complexities of politics at play here in the office, so, if someone needs to be treated a certain way, I appreciate tips on it."
There are different ways to phrase it so you sound eager to play by the rules rather than 'broken', because it is true.



Kate4432kate4432
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Joined: 22 Jul 2016
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Location: Canada

24 Jul 2016, 6:56 pm

Don't tell your boss. You will (likely) have to work extra hard to learn how to act and what to do to be as good at your job as others (when it comes to keeping the guests happy), however, it is equally likely that you will far exceed your NT peers at other aspects of the job. Work hard to get through the people part of the job, and find the part of your job you know you will excel at (perhaps hypervigilance is a gift, or a calm state of mind in emergency situations); once you identify they part of the job at which you can excel, work as hard as you can to show your boss that you are better than the rest at this part of the job. This will secure your position, and perhaps even open up a position designed FOR you. Once you passed the probationary period, and your boss is comfortable with your work performance, perhaps approach your boss with a formal proposal, outlining how you are an asset because of your unique abilities, and how a few small adjustments to your job expectations could improve your performance even more.

You DO NOT have to disclose your diagnosis with your boss, and I would discourage you from doing so until the probationary period has lapsed.

This technique has helped me in more than one work place, and has been particularly affective in my most resent and current career of 8 years. I no longer am expected to answer telephones, partake in disciplinary meetings or hiring interviews with staff, other management team members do this part for me, and meetings have been made more structured and I am given time at the beginning of meetings to express my ideas and concerns so that I can focus on other's ideas during the meeting instead of thinking about what I need to say for the whole meeting and waiting for my time to speak, or interrupting at inappropriate times to divulge my ideas. I have just this year "came out" to my boss, and knowing what I bring to his company and understanding my unique skill set, he had no issue with my diagnosis and "coming out" has helped him and my other coworkers to understand and relate to me a lot better. They are very less frequently offended by me, which has always been an issue in the past.