Is there a section of "care and feeding" which focuses on change within the workplace?
I ask because I have a coworker who is definitely on the spectrum, but has never been diagnosed or referred for screening. (Apparently, his grandparents--who adopted him as a small child--thought they could just beat it out of him with a hickory switch.)
He was one of three staff members who were assigned to different workstations this past week. The last time he shifted workstations, which occurred nearly 2 years ago, he seemed okay with that change yet became very intolerant of any change whatsoever in nearly all other aspects of the job. Because I bore the brunt of that experience, which became a yearlong ordeal for me, and due to my own increased awareness, it's very important to me to do what I can to help make sure he remains as comfortable as possible despite the move.
Right now, he is not.
His new work space is so cramped, the door cannot be opened while he is seated at his desk. His desk is opposite to what's a best fit for that space. The desk cannot be re-assembled into a left-hand hutch and right-hand desk, nor can it be relocated within the space. The design of the desk and the layout of the space permit neither, and the other occupant of that room will not consent to have the room divider relocated 6" to 1' to the west (which would address the door issue).
The combination of the desk being "backward" to the space and the location of the electrical outlets within the room means that the equipment he uses most often must be placed so that it is not accessed with his dominant hand. PITA. He's reluctant to request longer monitor cables, which would address that, because most people would perceive the issue as petty.
Helping make sure he's comfortable is a hybrid between:
a) encouraging him to feel empowered to request for himself the changes he needs, rather than "making do" with something which is actually a collection of slow-burning triggers;
b) "brainstorming" with him, which helps him choose his battles wisely and/or follow his "rabbit trails" to their conclusions; and
c) being that other person who weighs in with "you know, he's actually got a point."
It doesn't include speaking on his behalf or fixing things for him. He's a grown-ass man from North Carolina--he can take care of himself!--I'm just one of the few people at work who sees it that way.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.
18 Mar 2014, 11:53 pm
