Jryder9987 wrote:
I work security at a hotel and just had my90 day review with my boss. He's talked to me before about how I'm great at the security part, but REALLY need to work on the customer service aspect (smiling, greeting, engaging small talk). He'd spoken to me about it at least 3 times before. I always wanted to say something about AS, But I didn't want to say it and have him not know exactly what it is and treat me different, and i especially didnt want to say anything because I was afraid it may come off as just an excuse to defend myself. During my review all I mentioned was I have anxiety issues that Im always to improve upon and did'nt bring it up earlier because I didnt wanna make excuses. He said he appreciated it and would continue to help me. work on it.
But I don't think many managers are going to be that cool with everthing,.
That is a pretty cool boss if he is willing to help you work on that.
I hauled off and told my last boss I had Asperger's and told her a little about it after a couple of months of tension at work. I hoped she'd either help me like that or stop worrying about how much I talk and let me work on it myself. She just told me the restaurant chain I was working for at the time takes people on the spectrum into account and then went on to say 'don't use that as a scapegoat.'
I worked in a restaurant last year as a dishwasher for three months. Normally that's the worst idea for someone who isn't naturally in sync with NTs, but the only time I was around customers was when I picked up dishes, wiped tables, and took care of the trash. I think I just wanted to improve my people skills. For the first month everything was going smooth. I do have a great personality and everyone loved me. Then my managers started asking me 'do you like this job?' over and over. I guess I didn't smile enough or talk to enough customers. I tend to avoid small talk with a hundred strangers because I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. I love being around people but they can't handle it. I feel like no matter what I say, it's awkward. It's weird when I talk and it's weird when I don't talk. Then the managers started the bad treatment. I guess that got to me. That misunderstanding plus I had a couple of situations when I'd see plates left on the tables and I made an angry face. That annoyed me for some reason. But I cleaned it up and got over it. I learned that all the customers had been watching me when they all started to be cautious around me. The managers were clearly at this point playing that 'lets make him want to quit' game. After I observed my behavior and tried to be nicer some of the customers liked me after all, but some people just see how you are in one moment and pin that on you. That was when I told a manager I have Asperger's. Treatment just got even worse. It was best that I just quit. This was the first time I ever told a manager about me and I don't think I'll ever do that again.
25 Apr 2014, 7:25 pm
