Writing, training, speaking, campaigning ...
Submitted by Janine on
On 11 October 2014, I was the guest speaker at the Disability Conference of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU), held in Leeds. I addressed the conference about Autism in the Workplace, and got great feedback from delegates!
Submitted by Janine on
About the author
Janine Booth, is a member of the TUC Disabled Workers Committee and the committee of Autistic-UK. She is a former member of the national Council of Executives of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT). Janine runs Autism in the Workplace training events with the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA). You can contact Janine by emailing j.booth@rmt.org.uk
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
There are different ways of understanding disability. The two main ones are:
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
Neurological diversity
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
Beware of stereotypes; they can overlook people’s individuality, and lead to mocking and bullying.
‘Autism is one of those trendy ‘conditions’ that everyone seems to have these days.’
This is a commonly-heard view, but an inaccurate prejudice which undermines the very real experiences of people with autism and their friends and families.
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
Autism is an issue for trade unions, because:
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
Workplaces and employers make work difficult for autistic workers for the following reasons:
Discrimination: Treating the autistic worker differently from, less favourably than, others.
Bullying by management, including ridicule and physical/ verbal abuse.
Lack of communication and support.
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
Refusal of time off: An employer may refuse a request for time off, for example a career break or a period of leave to adjust and make arrangements when a
dependant is diagnosed with autism.
Childcare: Few employers provide workplace childcare; of those that do, few provide care suitable for autistic children.
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
The trade union movement supports the demand of the disabled people’s movement: ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’.
Many trade unions have structures for disabled members; if so, it may be useful to invite and welcome autistic members’ involvement in these.
There are organisations of autistic people, and trade unionists may benefit from their expertise.
Submitted by Janine on
From the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
In 2013, Labour MP Ian Mearns introduced a Ten-Minute Rule Bill to require the police to maintain a register of hate crimes committed against people with learning difficulties, learning disabilities and autism. During the early months of 2014, this Bill is progressing through its Parliamentary stages.
