Has anybody even tried to use your disability against you?

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seahawksfan46
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11 May 2017, 1:40 am

It happened at a job a while back. My general manager was like "Do you have a learning disability? I ask this because the average person can do this job way faster than you can, and if you have one then neither of us should waste our time now. Now, please answer truthfully here!". I then said yes just to see what would occur, and they escorted me out immediately. Has anybody used your diagnosis against you in your life? If so, then how?



Raleigh
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11 May 2017, 4:29 am

My supervisor tried to end my contract at work after finding out I was autistic.
Having autism meant I suddenly couldn't be trusted to do my job - nevermind that I'd been doing it effectively for over a decade. :roll:
I made a complaint against my supervisor and had my contract renewed.


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11 May 2017, 6:20 am

yeah i guess they have, but it's them that hits the brick wall while i go sailing on.



seahawksfan46
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11 May 2017, 4:10 pm

Raleigh wrote:
My supervisor tried to end my contract at work after finding out I was autistic.
3autism meant I suddenly couldn't be trusted to do my job - nevermind that I'd been doing it effectively for over a decade. :roll:
I made a complaint against my supervisor and had my contract renewed.


If a manager asks if I have a disability, I always bring up my ADHD, Dyslexia and my Bipolar Disorder, and never the Autism spectrum diagnosis. The managers that I've had have never seemed to be against me when I disclose that I have those three disabilities, but will treat me as if I'm inferior if I mention anything about Autism. Therefore, I won't say a thing about it until their attitude changes towards it. Besides, they'd fire me immediately if they find out that I have it due to the fact that I work as a customer service rep.



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11 May 2017, 5:33 pm

seahawksfan46 wrote:
It happened at a job a while back. My general manager was like "Do you have a learning disability? I ask this because the average person can do this job way faster than you can, and if you have one then neither of us should waste our time now. Now, please answer truthfully here!". I then said yes just to see what would occur, and they escorted me out immediately. Has anybody used your diagnosis against you in your life? If so, then how?


I would get a lawyer, that was blatantly illegal.


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11 May 2017, 5:36 pm

Yep...that was stupid on your boss's part. Imagine if you had taped him? A slam-dunk for you---with interest!! !

Usually, bosses are much more subtle than that.

I would never disclose that I have any sort of disability--ever!! !!



Seriouscirrus
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11 May 2017, 5:37 pm

Euhm... do you,guys and girls know that that is discrimination and you can sue them?



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11 May 2017, 5:49 pm

Unfortunately it's something difficult to actually prove and, even more distressing, is that there are jurisdictions where it acceptable.

I lost my job last year due to the problems it causes. I did make my supervisor aware of my anxieties and ADD, but afterwards the HR representative took great lengths to point out that there was no official documentation on file. I was unaware that you had to have official documentation proving a disability.


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Benjamin the Donkey
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11 May 2017, 5:59 pm

I always tape any serious meeting with a supervisor. It's only paid off once, but that time it did in a big way.


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kraftiekortie
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11 May 2017, 6:04 pm

If you do tape somebody, make sure it's legal to tape somebody in your state/country.

Otherwise, it's inadmissible in court.



ZachGoodwin
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11 May 2017, 6:23 pm

This issue to me should not have happened. When someone pushes you, do not push back, and I mean that in every type of argument and fight there is. To me, the best response would have been "I am sorry for causing any trouble for what I have done. I had no idea."



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12 May 2017, 2:39 am

ZachGoodwin wrote:
This issue to me should not have happened. When someone pushes you, do not push back, and I mean that in every type of argument and fight there is. To me, the best response would have been "I am sorry for causing any trouble for what I have done. I had no idea."


I have tried that way to often and all it has gotten me is others taking more and more from me because they knew they could. There was only benefits for them and consequnces for me.


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12 May 2017, 2:52 am

In the past, I believe others have capitalised on the fact that I am easy to manipulate and control because I can be terribly passive and subservient.

If I had lots of friends, I suspect I would be a much poorer man as I don't know how to say 'no'. Thus, whenever anyone asks me to do something, instinctually I obey.


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13 May 2017, 12:22 am

Canadian Penguin wrote:
Unfortunately it's something difficult to actually prove and, even more distressing, is that there are jurisdictions where it acceptable.

I lost my job last year due to the problems it causes. I did make my supervisor aware of my anxieties and ADD, but afterwards the HR representative took great lengths to point out that there was no official documentation on file. I was unaware that you had to have official documentation proving a disability.


I never had to show my documentation to my employers when I requested reasonable accommodations for my autism. Of course, it was pretty obvious I was documented as disabled, as I got my job through a workforce center which only works with you if you provide proof of disability.

But yes OP, what your boss did was a blatant violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and he could be in some serious hot water legally speaking.


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13 May 2017, 1:23 am

kraftiekortie wrote:
Yep...that was stupid on your boss's part. Imagine if you had taped him? A slam-dunk for you---with interest!! !

Usually, bosses are much more subtle than that.

I would never disclose that I have any sort of disability--ever!! ! !


Some states, such as Florida. You need both parties consent to record. So the evidence would be dismissed and charges could be brought up on you.

My last boss used my disability against me... I won my unemployment case by proving an hostile work environment. I filed a complaint with EEOC, but truthfully I don't expect much from them. I ultimately just moved on and gone back to being self employed.

Canadian Penguin wrote:
Unfortunately it's something difficult to actually prove and, even more distressing, is that there are jurisdictions where it acceptable.

I lost my job last year due to the problems it causes. I did make my supervisor aware of my anxieties and ADD, but afterwards the HR representative took great lengths to point out that there was no official documentation on file. I was unaware that you had to have official documentation proving a disability.


My previous employer claimed similar... But they destroyed some of my documents from when I was originally hired, one was a Pre-Existing Conditions form.



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13 May 2017, 1:59 am

seahawksfan46 wrote:
It happened at a job a while back. My general manager was like "Do you have a learning disability? I ask this because the average person can do this job way faster than you can, and if you have one then neither of us should waste our time now. Now, please answer truthfully here!". I then said yes just to see what would occur, and they escorted me out immediately. Has anybody used your diagnosis against you in your life? If so, then how?


That kind of stuff is my main fear about trying to find work, like I do have issues that can make it more difficult so I certainly have worries about not lasting that long or being fired like that and not having the energy or time to sue their a** over discrimination, because I really need income so I'd just move on to the next place due to no time for a lawsuit and not wanting to work for people who don't want me around.

Seriously though sounds like you could sue them if you want since that was a blatant firing based on your disability. People are not supposed to be discriminated against for disability unless the disability specifically prevents the person doing the job they are trying to get.


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