New Job, Already Close to Being Fired

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On the 13th of this month, I moved out of state and started a new job. This is the first time I've lived away from my parents. Now, after only being there two weeks, my managers are already threatening to fire me. The job is very fast paced, and requires a lot of math, two things that don't work well with my disability, and I've been making lots of mistakes. To me, they're typical new guy mistakes, but apparently my managers expected me to be working as efficiently as the employees who have been there 10-12 years. I went to school for this so I thought I was prepared, but I just wasn't ready to do this fast, you know? Anyway, I have a six month lease on an apartment now, so it's not like I can just move back home with my parents if something goes wrong. I can learn the job, but it'll take longer than they're used to. What I'm worried about is that they'll run out of patience and fire me in favor of somebody who can pick up on the job faster. I went to them yesterday and finally explained that I have Aspergers, and hoped that would convince them to be a little more lenient with me- but I'm also afraid that this will push them over the edge and they'll fire me because they're convinced I can't do the job. It's a pretty well paying job, and it's the only reason I can afford this apartment, and I doubt I'll be able to find another one.

So... any advice? Are there any laws of something that would prevent them from firing me before my 90 day training and probation period is over? Was it even a good idea to tell them I have Aspergers?

Provide them with a doctor's note that says you have Asperger's and they won't be able to fire you. This can be a letter from a doctor or just medical records with the diagnosis of autism spectrum on them. You can black out any other diagnoses. Given time, you'll catch on and they'll realize that you're a capable employee.

Just telling someone that you're on the spectrum doesn't protect you under the ADA. You have to give them documentation. I know that sucks, but that's how it works.

If you feel like the people at this new job are unreasonable, you can look for another job while you're trying to hold onto this one.

Right...and for any future jobs, don't disclose you have any sort of disability before you are hired. Then have the notes ready for afterwards.

I didn't tell them about my Aspergers until a week after my starting date. It makes me wonder if they'll think I was being dishonest by not telling them ahead of time. They asked, after all, and I said no. I know it's illegal to ask that during an interview or application, but to be honest I've never had a single interview where they DIDN'T ask that. Some of them even had the question on their online interviews.

I too have noticed over the years that employers don't give a damn about the laws.
they will ask you about your age, your disabilities, your medical history, whatever.
and expect you to answer. they know you are too poor and to disenfranchise to bring a real lawsuit to them.

twice it happened that they said I was hired expected me to come in on Monday and on Sunday they would call me and say you don't have the job. that should be illegal.
but again, employees and workers have no rights in the real world.

employees rights look all nice and dandy on paper, and the legal system pretends to support workers rights, however in the real world you have no rights.

you don't have a right to make money or live a good life.
being unemployed and still looking for work and being rejected out of hand every time, I know this to be a very true reality. I am seriously thinking about just going homeless or killing myself. it's better than living life in a constant never ending limbo like some type of zombie or something. face it, this system doesn't give a damn what happens to you.

I wish I could say otherwise: but I'll have to agree with Adamantium on this; they could come up with some other "official" reason to fire you.

I agree with Cathylynn, too. She's very wise.

Sorry guys, it's too late. I got fired yesterday

Sorry to hear this news. I hope you find something better soon.

Aww, Fiddlesticks!

I will give you my thoughts anyway.

1. See if you can put in an extra half hour before and after your shift (Off the clock) to improve your skills quicker. This will show your employer that you are willing to put in the extra effort instead of asking them for something extra. If you cannot work during this time, just observe the other workers to think about who is the best in your position and what they are doing different.
2. Set up a simulation at home to practice your work. Even thinking it through over and over will help. Or, do additional online research on your job position and the equipment you use.
3. Downplay the disability angle. You will find very little sympathy (if any) whenever there is money involved.

Really sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. You still got some experience in your field out of it. You are young still, take it as a learning experience. I moved out of my parents home 3 or 4 times before I got enough altitude to stay airborne. You will make it if you keep trying.

For future reference....

They can't ask if you have ANY disability, but they can ask if you have anything that prevents you from being able to do the job as described to you.

The gray area is if you reasonably knew you'd have difficulty doing the tasks of the job given the circumstances before the job was offered. If you did, they can claim you were dishonest and deceptive in the interview process. If you knew you could do the tasks but the environment is proving to be something you can't handle, it's a snafu they can choose to either adapt to or not.

The law says they only have to make "reasonable accommodation" and by and large, that's up to the employer to decide.

Showing the doctor's note isn't a magic fix.

That is so unfair. Since they have a 90-day training period, it seems obvious that they should give you 90 days to learn and figure stuff out. That is dishonest of them.