Suze Fricker – autistic employee

“We have two lives that we lead, the public and the private life.
Finding the balance between your public and private life that keeps you as true to you as possible.”

 

I joined the civil service in 2017 through the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme. About 1 year later, I was diagnosed autistic. Having an earlier diagnosis might have helped the transition into adulthood and work – it may have given me coping strategies earlier.

“It might make it more difficult to gain employment when you disclose, but in the long run it will run you down not to.”

Disclosing (sharing my diagnosis) was a no-brainer for me for two reasons:

• prior to my diagnosis it affected me at work because I didn’t understand why people were upset when I’d been very honest with them and I would often wonder why people were upset when I told them my opinion after they specifically asked for it. I was just offering my thoughts exactly as they had asked. Now they all know that when they ask me, they get honest and specific advice. I don’t know how else to give it.
  
  
• because of my dyslexia, (which I was diagnosed with at 16) I knew that it was important that people knew right from the beginning. I feel like it’s an extra layer of protection for me.

Especially if you have a disability which is a protected characteristic (which autism is) and you disclose, you can ask for adjustments. Most of my adjustments did not cost anything to implement, but this may not be the case for everyone.

“I was able to drop the façade of what I thought the ideal employee should be.”

Now I understand my condition more, I am free to ask for and accept help as my manager understands me.

On making adjustments

“If I ask for something, it’s an adjustment – not special treatment.”

One thing I  I asked for was to have placements as part of the apprenticeship, this was not the standard for the apprenticeship – there should have been 4, but in the end I only did 2. Then because of a reorganisation I ended up in the Diversity and Inclusion team which was ideal for me.

We have flexible working anyway, and my other adjustments work well with the flexible working. When I’m particularly stressed and anxious, I can work from home. I do this too if I know I have to prepare for a stressful work event. I use headphones to reduce office noise.

I can talk to my line manager and ask – is this something we can try? They’re always open to trying things. Now my managers and colleagues recognise when I need a break and they tell me to go to the canteen where I can de-stress.

I have assistive technology because of my dyslexia. But other than that, all the adjustments related to the flexibility that all staff have.

On applying for jobs

“You don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not in order to get on in work.”

Now I know more about my employment rights, I wouldn’t worry about moving to a new job or disclosing my diagnosis.

If I had to go for an interview, I’d ask to be sent as much information as possible in advance. I’d ask to be able to take a break for 5 minutes if it was a long interview, and also that there were no ambiguous questions.

On my strengths

“If I can’t see logic in it, there’s no logic.”

I’m strong at tech, and I’m the go-to person on the team. I’m able to explain tech to people in a way they understand it.

I know how it can feel to be isolated so I can support people. I like to make sure to keep in touch with people – those working out of the office – so that they know they’re not alone.

I’m good at prioritising and managing my own workload and my manager trusts me to do this.

 

 

If you have any comments or suggestions for us, please contact us

Please let us know your views