Resources

Managing the Employee

If they’ve done well enough to be employed by you (and if you have also!) there still may be many hurdles to overcome whilst actually in employment. Let’s look at some now.

  • Providing clear instructions – Tell them what you want them to do, don’t be vague or coy, give them accurate and honest feedback (but consider other people listening if so)
  • A proper training program – Throwing them straight into a role where they don’t know what is expected of them isn’t good.
  • Social rules – Explain these to them and why you use them.
  • Adapting communication – Can you change how you operate to fit their needs, so that they can produce good work for you?.
  • Anxiety – This may affect their work, try to consider what will make them less anxious.
  • Routines and structure – Changing plans all the time won’t help, let them create their own routines that work for them.
  • Letting them know about team meetings/team building days – Don’t drop it on last minute, do they need to go? Do they get to be involved as much as the others?.
  • Processing information – Give them extra time! Ask what will help them.
  • Flexibility – Working hours/breaks/toilet breaks/tasks! Can adaptations be made?.
  • Progression opportunities – Explain these to them, are they getting a fair chance?.
  • Strengths based approach – Why pick out their weaknesses when they posses many strengths?.
  • Sensory factors and their environment – Consider lights/noises/smells etc and ask them what bothers them. Can they move working spaces (even if outside).
  • Becoming overwhelmed/overloaded – What is causing it, ask them? Can you adapt for them.
  • Other colleagues – They may not understand autism, may bully or tease them, may also be jeloulos of their talents and try to get rid of them.