Work troubles vent and a half

[ChickenMccZoe]

Hi, I'm new here, and boy am I in trouble.

For context, I'm 23F (UK based) working in an engineering firm as a trainee technician. I started my first apprenticeship in 2017 and that went off without a hitch.

Fast forward to the last two years.


First of all, I'm really glad to have found this place, even if it was by accident. It's nice to know there are others going through almost the exact same thing as I am. This is more of a vent than a question, but advice is always appreciated.

Long story short, I'm in trouble at work. Not because I've done anything *wrong,* but because my performance has been suffering as a result of a smartphone addiction (which, I won't lie, has had a huge part to play), the Pandemic, and also the Dyspraxia. Quite the combination.

I tanked the second year of my apprenticeship, and got put on an improvement programme at work to, well, help me improve. Where the Dyspraxia comes into it, is where it probably comes with a lot of people. Prioritising tasks, forgetting outright, which means that important documents don't get handed in on time or are incomplete when submitted even after a self check.

I have a first warning already even with the improvement programme that I'm still on. I have a meeting every week with my supervisor and my manager, and alongside recording some praises, I also get pulled up on every (and some are admittedly huge) mistake I make, and I feel like I can't do right for doing wrong.

I've spoken to occupational health and they're sending my manager a report with some suggestions either today or Monday, so hopefully that will help a bit.

Unfortunately for present me, past me didn't think the diagnosis affected me that much to put it on my application form due to it being "mild", so it came as a bit of a shock to my manager. So now I'm scrambling to get a letter from the private clinic I got diagnosed at when I was a child, since my GP does not have it (wasn't sent to them because private clinic).

I'm scared, frustrated (in general and at myself), and just overall quite overwhelmed. Work's aware of my mental health but only really sent a link to some online services as a help.

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[FrankieSoup]

Hey there friend- how are you feeling now a little time has passed?

[Tom fod]

Hi and welcome to your tribe.

I' would like to say mine is mild and I can pass as 'normal' most of the time. However, the disorganised chaos does like to try to impinge on my life way more than I want or need it to! Anxiety and Dyspraxia sadly so often seem to come together in an unholy alliance.

I definitely spend too much time on my smart phone when not at work. While at work, it's off and in my locker until I collect it on the way out. While not specifically Dyspraxia-focused the How To ADHD channel on You Tube is worth a look (outside of work hours though you could effectively argue it is an aide and of benefit in Self Development.)

[ChickenMccZoe]

Hey there friend- how are you feeling now a little time has passed?

Hey! Thanks for answering. I still feel relatively the same unfortunately, but I'm taking steps to try and mitigate it. I'm on a therapy waiting list so it's a start.

[FrankieSoup]

Therapy is pretty much always a good idea - we’ll done for heading down that road!

You said you had a smartphone addictionin your original post (something i can totally understand - i use a Nokia 3310 remake because i know anything else would eat my life - 100% no judgment). That suggests to me that your brain might work similarly to mine. I was wondering - have you come across any of the gamification apps that you can get? There’s a few, but I can only remember the name of “habitica”. It might be worth a try?

[ChickenMccZoe]

I haven't, actually. I know there are a few, but I don't know their names. I'll have a look and get back to you. It might help someone else on here as well if I find any.

[ChickenMccZoe]

Bit of an update:

Cutting a long story short, I don't think this is the job for me, and I'm jumping ship. I've been communicating with everyone in my life on a much greater scale, and things are now at a point where it's leave or be sacked. Either way, I'm ultimately going to be happier as this has dragged on long enough, and who knows? Maybe this is what's best. Looking forward to a new adventure.

[Tom fod]

Wishing you all the best with your future endeavours, Here's hoping you find a good job with an employer who's right for you.

[LisaLFC89]

Ive worked at my current company for 5years and even thou it took me 3years to settle in, I was going to try stay there long as could. But now ive had a disaplinary as i didnt make eye contact with a customer. but to find out that my company taken my disabilties OFF my files and say im lying about having dypraxia, ive had so many break downs over this siutation, wondering if anyone else has had this kind of discrimination in work before.

[Tom fod]

Ive worked at my current company for 5years and even thou it took me 3years to settle in, I was going to try stay there long as could. But now ive had a disaplinary as i didnt make eye contact with a customer. but to find out that my company taken my disabilties OFF my files and say im lying about having dypraxia, ive had so many break downs over this siutation, wondering if anyone else has had this kind of discrimination in work before.

They seem like a toxic employer!
Disciplined for failing to make eye contact?

Dyspraxia is hardly a condition we make up to get preferential treatment. You deserve a better employer and management. Once you successfully get out of there, please do write a scathing review of them on Glass Door.

[ChickenMccZoe]

Tom is right. If you can afford it, I would suggest seeing a solicitor that specialises in employment law. If what you're saying is true, then you definitely have the legal right to challenge their decision on the grounds of unfair dismissal, should you choose to do so.