Marxist. Trade Unionist. Socialist-feminist. Author. Poet. Speaker. Tutor. RMT ex-Exec. Workers' Liberty. Autie. Bi. PUFC fan.
Writing, training, speaking, campaigning …
The law judges this on a case-by-case basis. The 2010 Equality Act states that an individual is disabled under the law if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term, adverse effect on their ability to … Read more
There is an excellent article in November 2022’s Labour Research – ‘Neurodiversity: a core bargaining issue’. I’m pleased to say that I am extensively quoted! If you would like to read the full text, ask your trade union if it … Read more
An assessment of trade unions as drivers of positive change for autistic people at work, written as an assignment for Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger Syndrome [Note: this is not advocating a union for autistic workers, but assessing the potential … Read more
Assignment written for the Postgraduate Certificate in Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Sheffield Hallam University. WHY DOES WORK NOT WORK FOR US? How and why is employment hostile to autistic people? How useful are the main autism theories in explaining … Read more
First published as a blog post for the TUC’s ‘Stronger Unions’ on 23 November 2016: Most autistic people want to work, but often encounter difficulties in the workplace which employers can address better. Author and workplace trade union representative … Read more
Thank you to Colette Marquess, a PCS union representative in Belfast, for writing this report after attending the Neurodiversity in the Workplace course run by Janine. To book a course with Janine, click here. I recently attended a 2-day course … Read more
I’m Janine Booth. I’m autistic, and I write and deliver training courses to trade unionists and others about autism and neurodiversity. As part of the courses, we look at real-life case studies of neurodivergent workers’ experiences. It is important to … Read more
There is an increasing number of companies which explicitly employ autistic people, promising to value their work and provide suitable working conditions. This has been widely welcomed. But what are the experiences of autistic workers in these companies? On this … Read more
Fatima’s autism makes her hypersensitive to bright lights, so she can’t work in our office, poor thing. OR The bright lights in our office make Fatima distressed as she is autistic and unusually sensitive to light. She can work here … Read more
On 27 May, I took part in a panel discussion at Autistic UK’s ‘The Future is Gold’ event. One question panellists were asked was ‘What can be done to stop discrimination in employment? It seems the tribunal service does not … Read more
Today, I was a panellist at at evidence session organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism, discussing autism and employment. There were several ‘witnesses’, mostly employers and representatives of charities. Some were autistic, some not. The APPGA will publish … Read more
Ever wondered why only 16% of autistic adults have a full-time job? He worked alone, not a team player Not a keeper or a stayer Didn’t fit in, not really our sort Talked about boring stuff not sport We had to … Read more
by PCS rep, Helen Sheridan Never give a trade unionist a platform if you want to get away on time. I hope you’re all sitting comfortably. For anyone who cares about these things, my name is Helen Sheridan and I … Read more
Autistic, dyspraxic, dyslexic and other people with atypical brain wiring have particular experiences under capitalism. These experiences have positive and negative aspects, and for many people include distress and disadvantage. What are the roots and the causes of this experience? … Read more
Written for and published by TotalJobs.com, here. Work can be an uphill climb for autistic people. Colleague support can smooth out the gradient and make it easier going, explains Janine Booth, co-chair of the TUC Disabled Workers’ Committee. Each … Read more
RMT’s Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee met for the second time on Wednesday 13 September. 1. Committee membership We welcomed new members to the Committee, and completed the election of our Liaison (conference arrangements) Committee. 2. Guest speaker: Transport … Read more
Published on PCS website, 3 May 2017: PCS recently held its second Neurodiversity In The Workplace course, with plans to hold the two-day course in every PCS region and nation this year. The course, tutored by Janine Booth, teaches reps and … Read more
The Summer 2016 issue of unionlearn’s ‘Learning Rep’ magazine includes an article on ‘Changing the way we work’, arguing that “Identifying the real roots of workplace stress is the best way to genuinely promote mental and physical health at work.” RMT … Read more
Some notes from recent discussions on Marxism and autism (two meetings and some online exchanges): There is a capitalist market in products aimed at autistic people and their families. These range from useful resources through to fake and even abusive … Read more