Speaking up at work
Finding the line between courage and self-preservation as an autistic employee
I opened my mouth in a company Q&A last week and now my nervous system is shot. So, y’know, a normal week.
Speaking up at work
I spoke up in a public setting at work last week, during a Q&A with company leadership.
We're going through restructuring, and that has put leadership in the hot seat. They're dodging any kind of real accountability and instead presenting a narrative that fits their agenda.
So I said something.
I don't like that leadership continues to gaslight us, like we’re unreasonable for feeling frustrated, and I pointed out harmful inconsistencies in some of the things leadership was saying.
If leadership saw my comments, they didn’t say anything, but I immediately received a few DMs from people expressing their thanks. They were also frustrated but felt unable to speak up.
This isn't the first job where I've spoken up and then been thanked privately by coworkers. I guess I should feel proud, but mostly I'm just very aware of my autism and how different I am to those around me (and therefore how separate I feel).
Autistic people can have difficulty understanding hierarchies and are also more likely to have a strong sense of justice. I'm not built for unquestioned compliance, and it means I put myself in difficult situations like this one.
Because, even though I stayed professional, and even though I believe what I did was right, there's a reason why people stay silent. Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Especially because I’ve already been critical of my employer when they failed to make workplace adjustments in a timely manner.
Am I modelling resistance or just martyrdom?
I want to be someone who doesn't look away or let harm slide when it's easier to ignore it. The world is in a delicate state currently, and I want to join others in their efforts to shape a better future. But I also want to find the line between courage and self-sabotage.
Any other autistic people struggling with this balance?
For now, I'm going to find quieter ways to live my values at work, because I'm playing the long game. I can’t burn out, and I can’t make myself a target. If I want to have a positive impact on my workplace, I need to care for myself too.
Snails against the machine
Small ways we’re taking back control of our world
Two university professors have created a simple yet mighty website to help people make sense of the growing presence of AI (especially large language models like ChatGPT) in our daily communication.
The website offers readers a series of bite-sized lessons that explain the strengths and weaknesses of these AI systems and how they work. More importantly, the lessons help readers build awareness and scepticism in an era where AI can produce convincing information, regardless of its accuracy.
The resource is mostly geared towards students and educators, but honestly, I think anyone would gain a lot from exploring the lessons.
Find the website here 👉 thebullshitmachines.com
Have a personal rebellion to share? I’d love to hear it!
Shiny things from the curio cabinet
Things I’m noticing, loving or want to share
Between the difficulty at work, multiple invasive dentist appointments and a week of cold weather… let’s just say I’ve been better.
To get through this funk, I’m intentionally listening to myself and doing more things just because I want to. Like making this pointless colour palette.
I’ll be fine. Warm weather will come again. And I bet this time next month I’ll be wishing it was cold again haha. (Summer is hell when you don’t have aircon.)
Hope you’re all doing well ☀️
Join the crawl 🐌
Connect and share how you’re taking back control
Want to share something from your life or just say hi? Feel free to leave a comment. 👇
Not subscribed yet? Sign up for free to get new posts delivered to your inbox and support my work along the way. 👇