Struggling in work

aaabbbb

I started a new job a few months (clerical/admin type of work) ago and I'm really struggling to keep up which is really frustrating because the actual tasks themselves are really simple. However, feedback from management is that I'm too slow and keep making too many mistakes. I have been called into their offices twice now regarding my performance and I really feel this is my last chance!
It's my first proper job after college and I don't feel I would have much of a chance in getting another without looking like I'm "job hopping ".

I'm wondering if anyone has been in this position before and has any advice on what I might be able to do to improve?
I also have dyspraxia and I'm wondering if maybe I should disclose this to my managers? Or could this be used against me? (I know legally they have to make adjustments but they could still be underhanded about things)

I also have still yet to be given a contract so I can't ever refer to that regarding preformance issues

verycool

I think they definitely should know about your dyspraxia and create a work environment that fits your needs (or lets you use tools that help you), without seeming like they're "cutting you slack" or being lenient.

Failing that (I just remembered GDPR exists), can you approach HR who can then take it up with your manager?

NinetyTwoTeam

Do you think it's the dyspraxia causing the issue? Was there a space on the application form for you to inform of having the condition? If so, did you leave it blank or what?

Generally companies will try to allow a struggling employee to get up to speed and work with them, rather than go through hassle of hiring someone new, especially if the person is making a genuine effort and is otherwise a good 'team player' well liked etc.

Just keep trying your best and make every effort to do whatever they suggest to improve. Try not to stress too much as you will likely just perform worse if you are stressed, either by rushing too much and making mistakes or going too slow because you're overthinking.

What programs are you using and do you think you are truly up to speed on them? Are there resources online where you can get some tips on how to work more efficiently?

If you continue to underperform to the point they get rid of you, it's not the end of the world. It's your first job out of college like you say. Everyone has some jobs that just aren't right for them on their CV (or more often, left off the CV!)

Don't be worrying about what some future employer that doesn't exist yet will think if this job doesn't last long. You can't control that anyway and you arent at that bridge yet and it will only add to your worries.

Midnight Reader

Hi AAABBBB,

As I was reading your message I found myself wondering if you had dyspraxia because you sounded like someone I know and their experience.

Have you heard of Employability.ie? They're linked to Dept of Social Protection and if you have a disability - which dyspraxia is regarded as - you can get someone to actually meet with you and your company on your behalf to discuss with you and them how you might manage your work better. I know of someone who did this and it worked really well for them and the company was very open to it.

Maybe you know about this already but if not, hope it helps. It could maybe fit well with verycool's suggestions above.

Best of luck.

aaabbbb

verycool wrote:

Failing that (I just remembered GDPR exists), can you approach HR who can then take it up with your manager?

There is no HR so to speak or at least on site. It's a massive organisation and HR is the other side of the country. There doesn't seem to be any real way of contacting them either other than leaving a voicemail.

I'm concerned about telling my manager because they don't know the meaning of discretion and I feel they wouldn't really know what to do to help me. As all the feedback I get is just that I'm too slow and keep making too many mistakes but not how I might be able to improve.
The manager above mine has asked me to make a list of things that I might be able to do to improve and come to them tomorrow with it but I honestly don't know other than I'm really struggling and terrified I'm going to be fired for being incompetent.

I've also never told an employer before as I have always just hoped I could figure my own way out and not make excuses so I'm not sure how to go about it either.

NinetyTwoTeam wrote:

Do you think it's the dyspraxia causing the issue? Was there a space on the application form for you to inform of having the condition? If so, did you leave it blank or what?

Yeah , I think it might be because in general I know what I'm supposed to be doing, I just keep making silly mistakes (which have the potential to kill someone ) and when it's pointed out I know right away what I should have done. Also , a lot of the job involves putting stickers onto things and I'm really slow at this I think because of the manual dexterity required.

It was asked in my pre -employment medical and I stated it there but nothing was ever further asked about it after that.

NinetyTwoTeam wrote:

Just keep trying your best and make every effort to do whatever they suggest to improve. Try not to stress too much as you will likely just perform worse if you are stressed, either by rushing too much and making mistakes or going too slow because you're overthinking.

Part of the problem is that all they suggest is go faster and make less mistakes which should be simple but I can't seem to achieve it.

NinetyTwoTeam wrote:

What programs are you using and do you think you are truly up to speed on them? Are there resources online where you can get some tips on how to work more efficiently?

It's literally a pen, paper, sticky labels and a barcode scanner and most of the job is sticking labels on to things, scanning barcodes, printing or ticking off things on a list. There's only one program that we use and it's really basic to operate so that's definitely not the issue.
It's frustrating because a monkey could do the work but I can't seem to manage it.

I'm not sure about online resources but I will check it out.

aaabbbb

Midnight Reader wrote:

Have you heard of Employability.ie? They're linked to Dept of Social Protection and if you have a disability - which dyspraxia is regarded as - you can get someone to actually meet with you and your company on your behalf to discuss with you and them how you might manage your work better. I know of someone who did this and it worked really well for them and the company was very open to it.

Hey , no I actually hadn't.
I was dignosed with dyspraxia very late so I'm really not up to speed up all the resources out there! Thank you though, something like that could be very helpful as I'm really crap at realising what could help me and explaining these things to people.
I'm only on a temp contract too though so I'm not sure if it would be only for permanent employees?

aaabbbb

aaabbbb wrote:

Hey , no I actually hadn't. I was dignosed with dyspraxia very late so I'm really not up to speed up all the resources out there! Thank you though, something like that could be very helpful as I'm really crap at realising what could help me and explaining these things to people. I'm only on a temp contract too though so I'm not sure if it would be only for permanent employees?

NinetyTwoTeam wrote:

If you continue to underperform to the point they get rid of you, it's not the end of the world. It's your first job out of college like you say. Everyone has some jobs that just aren't right for them on their CV (or more often, left off the CV!)

Don't be worrying about what some future employer that doesn't exist yet will think if this job doesn't last long. You can't control that anyway and you arent at that bridge yet and it will only add to your worries.

Thanks! I'm just concerned because this was the step towards what I *thought* was my dream job but now seems that because of being too slow and easily distracted /making silly mistakes I might not be suited to that job/career at all and I have no idea what to do instead if that turns out to be the case. I also wont have any refrences because I wasn't working for the last two years of college so everything will be too out of date.

doolox

I was diagnosed with Aspergers, on the autism spectrum very late in life and i had to change my career options with the help of the Employability Office in one of the Dublin areas.

Welfare.ie has a list of available centres for each district nationwide. You might like to try phoning the one nearest you to arrange an appointment for counselling and getting help to adopt a strategy to improve your performance in your work. It might be a case of fitting the work to the individual by use of a few simple tools or methods to alleviate stress and cut down on errors etc.

I am not sure yet if you should disclose your dyspraxia to your employer without first making an appointment with Employability and getting their advice first.

Part of Aspergers is an element of dyspraxia and general corporeal awkwardness in some people which can be off putting to some employers at first glance especially in front of office, customer-facing roles. The trick is to play to your strengths and avoid where possible, areas at which you are weak. It is possible that your employer is unaware of your condition and is misinterpreting your awkwardness as being difficult or wilful and not wanting to do the work assigned to you. I know this was the case in my situation and I had to learn to perform in an acceptable way and do things most people do naturally but which took great effort on my part.

I took longer to train in tasks required in my job but could do them effectively once time was allowed to train up on the tasks at the start. As long as there is not a high rate of change in your work this can work. It is important to identify weak areas and work on strengthening your abilities in these areas.

I hope you can overcome your difficulties in these areas of your work.

OMM 0000

aaabbbb wrote: »

I just keep making silly mistakes (which have the potential to kill someone )

Hmmm. Are you being sincere here? The silly mistake you keep making could kill someone? If that's the case, maybe this isn't the right job for you? There are plenty of admin jobs which don't have this sort of responsibility/risk.

Midnight Reader

Good to see doolox had a positive experience with Employability.ie also.

Have you actually been diagnosed with a disability? If so, there's a Social Protection scheme that could maybe be helpful - Wage Subsidy scheme - if you're diagnosed as being at least 20% slower at your job due to disability, employer can apply for a subsidy of about 5 euro per hour towards your salary, which might help them look favourably on reduced performance? Welfare.ie gives info.

Also, I'm assuming you're in contact with Dyspraxia Ireland for support and info etc.

Finally, maybe the job actually doesn't suit you and you should be looking at something else? Are you bored and your mind is wandering, can't concentrate? Did you have the same issues in college, or maybe just need a job that engages you more?

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING in all this is that, if you really do have the "POTENTIAL TO KILL SOMEONE" by making a mistake, you shouldn't be doing this job! Honestly, if it were me, I wouldn't sleep at night. But maybe you're overstating and the risk is not really there. You need to be sure though!

Hope the info is useful, best of luck.

aaabbbb

doolox wrote:

Welfare.ie has a list of available centres for each district nationwide. You might like to try phoning the one nearest you to arrange an appointment for counselling and getting help to adopt a strategy to improve your performance in your work. It might be a case of fitting the work to the individual by use of a few simple tools or methods to alleviate stress and cut down on errors etc.

I tried calling today but got no answer, I found an email of the person in the office who deals with those issues so hopefully they'll respond tomorrow!
I'm hoping that I can get one soon so I can figure out the best way to approach management with disclosure.

doolox wrote:

I took longer to train in tasks required in my job but could do them effectively once time was allowed to train up on the tasks at the start. As long as there is not a high rate of change in your work this can work. It is important to identify weak areas and work on strengthening your abilities in these areas.

The time to learn other tasks is another issue that has been raised and my co-worker makes a song and dance about them "being retired before I get it".

OMM 0000 wrote:

Hmmm. Are you being sincere here? The silly mistake you keep making could kill someone? If that's the case, maybe this isn't the right job for you? There are plenty of admin jobs which don't have this sort of responsibility/risk.

The actual role isn't admin but the actual tasks required are. I don't really want to say exactly what I do but yes, extreme worst case scenario someone could die , it's very unlikely though and should be picked up well before then. However, it's obviously important that the mistakes don't happen in the first place.

Midnight Reader wrote:

Have you actually been diagnosed with a disability? If so, there's a Social Protection scheme that could maybe be helpful - Wage Subsidy scheme - if you're diagnosed as being at least 20% slower at your job due to disability, employer can apply for a subsidy of about 5 euro per hour towards your salary, which might help them look favourably on reduced performance? Welfare.ie gives info.

It's public sector work so I doubt they care about the cost tbh but yeah I have OT and Ed phsyc reports for my dyspraxia

Midnight Reader wrote:

Finally, maybe the job actually doesn't suit you and you should be looking at something else? Are you bored and your mind is wandering, can't concentrate? Did you have the same issues in college, or maybe just need a job that engages you more?

I've had issues with daydreaming since I was a very young child, pretty much every school report says I have my head in the clouds to some effect.

I'm thinking it's probably the case that me and the job aren't compatible despite really wanting it which is frustrating and a little difficult to come to terms with.

Midnight Reader wrote:

Also, I'm assuming you're in contact with Dyspraxia Ireland for support and info etc.

I've contacted them regarding this issue but I wasn't previously

beauf

Is poor dexterity a characteristic of the condition?

Do you have personal check lists to help yourself check your own work.

Is there anyone else there that you could copy their process if they are quicker.

Maybe they have another role that might suit better if it doesn't work out

CIARAN_BOYLE

Hi there aaabbbb

I will make no comment on your dyspraxia as I am not sure what specific impact it has as i have not had to research it before.

The comment i make is wholly about it being your first job outside of college.

You have to learn what the job is and the software at the same time. Assuming you use software in the performance of your duties that you hadnt seen in college its verry difficult to give the duties of the job full care and attention while at the same time managing to have your head around strange software.

Can you ask if its possible to go away somewhere and learn the software (ie training course) which will improve your efficiency and allow you to give due care and attention to the performance of your duties rather than being distracted trying to remember how to do software tasks.

Is there someone whose methods you can check or copy. If you are doing it the long way and someone else is doing it a shorter way it will make you look slower.

aaabbbb

So I couldn't get an appointment with the employability.ie service until this week but in the meantime I went to the Employee assistance officer in work who with her help I told my manager.

I had hoped to wait for the employability.ie appointment before disclosure but I felt if I waited any longer it would be too late.
My manager has now requested I attend an occupational health assesment so we will see how that goes.