Working in education

C

Catharath

New member
I'm wondering if anyone would like to share perspectives/ideas/challenges relating to working in this sector? I'm a secondary English teacher and am looking at my work life to consider what reasonable adjustments might be practical for the school and beneficial for me.

I already work part time in order to parent and manage my own workload/stress/overwhelm. I have a good relationship with my line manager and feel able to communicate with her about certain things like needing to verbally debrief after stressful incidents or if I'm feeling overloaded and need to skip a non-essential meeting, for example. However, I'm also struggling to find the confidence to ask for things from SMT that might be less practical to provide e.g. to minimise changing classrooms or random cover. Like with all adjustments, it's not that I can't ever do these things, but that they contribute to an overall heightening of burnout factors which can build over time. I also respect that schools are the way they are to a certain extent.

I am also noticing a general cynicism about reasonable adjustments in general and a lack of understanding and bit of eye-rolling about late diagnosed people like myself who don't fit into many people's pre-conceived ideas about how Autism and ADHD can present.

Would love to connect and share ideas if anyone has any experience, views or wisdom! Thank you
 
Another option could be asking for a referral to Occupational Health, especially if you haven't been through that process for this employer/since diagnosis? Those practitioners sometimes know of adjustments that could work for you and for your employer.

If you have an Employment Assistance Programme through your employer sometimes they can offer short term advice, for example, help you to identify how you might start the conversation, or to ask for the things you need.

Some mental health charities in my area also have support workers dedicated to supporting people with employment, whilst they may not specialise in neurodiversity, they can sometimes support with the communication and anxiety side of things.

Good Luck: I hope you can reach a mutual agreement with your employer that benefits everyone involved.
 
one other suggestion - this may cause eyes to roll

I use chatGPT (heavily) at home for dealing with life - and its been very useful in identifying my reasonable adjustments - obviously you need to explain you role, and it helps if you can identify at least some areas which you think you need some support and adjustment. But if not you can just use it explore and use as a idea generation and sounding board , before engaging with any others

I think approaching OH is worthwhile afterwards - but always remember they are largely protecting the company/HR position from a procedure point of view. However getting some adjustments written by OH is a useful document to have for you to refer back to , on an on-going basis