Risk Assessment - is it a way of trying to bin someone off?

[highbury67]

I work at the new Medway MC and have had ongoing issues with my line manager exasperated by having autism.

This week, the two union reps around, pushed me into a meeting with the line manager and were basically between them, trying to encourage me to have an immediator between me and the manager to express my concerns, who would come from outside of the company? and to have a risk assessment as the one union rep has a bee in his bonnet that the atos report done on me is not right.

They kept on saying, we want you to feel comfortable and open up, but I felt uncomfortable because I felt that they were all trying to pressurise me into doing what they wanted.

Yesterday, I wrote to the local branch secretary saying I wasn't happy about doing what was suggested without finding out further and ultimately it was my choice not others, and for the moment I have withdrawn my subs from the union as I felt I wasn't getting the service I needed from them.

Also, a friend of mine who also works there, thinks that someone by encouraging a risk assessment is trying to bin me off out of the company, which in this case would be the union reps with agreement from the line manager. Do you think they are right as it is worrying me very much. Bin the bloke off and he can't be any more trouble?

Any thoughts please? Certainly, I don't think I should be frogmarched into a risk assessment that I know nothing about.

[dvbuk55]

I presume you are the one with autism but does it affect your work? If not then why would they require a risk assessment? Pulling your union subs is not the best option for you especially as you are under scrutiny already and will not have the support you may need - autism may be covered by the DDA and you could do with the union on your side - so recant and start paying. Are you a full time employee?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

From outside the situation its difficult to say anything with certainty but I suspect the reps were trying to help but just approached it in the wrong way. Double teaming you seems to have sent the wrong message - I hope so.

The suggestion of you having an intermediary with you is a good sign. Basically they are saying that if someone with training and an understanding of your condition could help/speak for you if could be beneficial both for you and the managers as everyone would be aware of the challenges you would have to deal with.

Also the Risk Assessment on the face of it is a good idea. They probably only have a vague understanding of Autism and may not realise that there are different states and degrees of the condition. They probably think that Autism is a condition that has imposes certain limits on your awareness of what is going on round you. Only you and perhaps someone with an understanding of your particular condition and how it affects you could say with any authority if any changes are needed.

Again the ATOS reassessment on the face of it is a good idea as it will keep managers in the loop.

I think to be honest the situation has been badly handled but from what you have posted I think their intentions are nothing but good.
If you have a support worker or anyone you can speak to outside RM it may help settle your mind.

[fishtank]

Normally i wouldn't have an issue with Atos being involved but an assessment involving Autism needs to be done by a specialist in Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
It's very unlikely Atos will be able to provide that and having it done by a "nurse practitioner" over the phone could be counter-productive.
Tell your over-eager reps if they can guarantee a specialist,then you'll consider it.

[highbury67]

Thanks for the replies folks, and agree with all your comments, although to be honest everyone at the medway office is under scrutiny, far more often then is.needed at times from a person or persons who could be classified as at least overzealous and perhaps more serious from a conduct point of view. I found using the union was becoming an easy option and making me stressed as was often unhappy with the gaffers. Whilst the union therehave my or others interest at heart, they are over zealous at times and too much against management maybe. I would take on support if could meet that person and be comfortable with them and they acted as a buffer against worst of management and union excesses. Whilst autism a complex subject, I fitnd it poor that many at RM in management have little understanding of it and the mefwaystresses that occur through it. It doean't reflect well on the company.

On a general viewpoint, I can't see myself staying in the medway office for even 5 years when my allowance for travelling will ha is ave run out.