This true story describes discrimination and judgment toward autism and disability in the workplace.

This is not my story to tell, it’s my brothers Kevin, and with his permission, I’m telling his story because we both want others to understand the impact of ignorance.?

Below is a short clip of my brother stimming; for those who don’t know what Stimming or self-stimulating behaviour?includes, this can be an arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning, or twirling, head-banging and complex body movement.

Stimming is most seen in children and teenagers or adults with autism. Everyone stims now and again, but the most significant difference for people with autism is how often they stim, the type they use, and how noticeable it is.

Both positive and negative emotions?may trigger a burst of stemming.?For example, my brother does this when in awkward social interactions or because he is anxious, or I notice when more when he is stressed.?

If you would like to read more information about stimming, please visit?

Now, this next part of the story broke my heart because no one should be treated in the workplace the way he has been treated.

Kevin was asked to attend a meeting with his manager; no explanation was just summoned to the office one day, now; this was before the pandemic when he was working in the office. As he entered the office, his line manager and another member of staff were waiting for him; his line manager preceded to ask my brother about his disability; for context, my brother has cerebral palsy as well as Autism.?

She asked him in front of the other member of staff whom he works alongside to explain his disability, and when my brother asked why the line manager responded, “we've had a couple of complaints about your spacing out and how you can act within a meeting and office” referring to his simmering. She went on to say, “it's making some of the staff feel uncomfortable".

Firstly, it's discrimination. Secondly, the langue is appalling, and it's harassment!?

My brother had not disclosed his autism to the employer. Why, because he doesn't see it as a disability, why should he? He did disclose his cerebral palsy before the interview, as you can physically see this disability, and he classed this as a disability. Disclosing a disability is an individual decision, and there is no obligation on anybody to do so.?

Before this, my bother has faced many comments and microaggression in the workplace; he is not one to push back or comment; he is a gentle person who does not like confrontation.

In many situations, he has been made to feel uncomfortable and feel like he does not fit in. This has caused low self-esteem, anxiety, stress, and depression. (no one should be made to feel this way). After working for a company for more than two years, then to be asked now the why behind what he does is utterly disgusting, and this is all because somebody in the office was made to feel?uncomfortable.?No one bothered to ask before.?

My question to you is, who's at fault? Is it my brother for not disclosing his autism? Is he the line manager, or is the employee making the complaint?

I don't blame the employee; I don't blame the line manager; I blame the organisation they work within to allow their colleagues to be ignorant and naive to diversity within their workplace.??We only know what we know. But I ask you, ask us why we do what we do to understand and learn, don’t ask us because offends you.?

To add to the matter, my brother needs to do his workplace assessment again after the company failed to implement his original accessibility tools over two years ago.?

Disabled people can face discrimination and harassment every day inside and outside of work. It can happen in any aspect of work everyday situations, including when decisions are made around the accessibility of the workplace or the tools we see some people need to use.

It's against the Equality Act 2010 to discriminate against anyone because of their condition or impairment.

If you see someone at work being discriminated against or harassed, you could step in and try and stop it from happening if you feel it's safe to do so.

After it happens, you should talk to the person who experiences discrimination to see if they want your support.

You might also want to talk to someone else to get advice and support before deciding whether to report it, for example, someone at work who's been trained to advise people who can consider making this kind of complaint.

Talk with your employer or someone senior at work as soon as possible to try and resolve the problem.?

On a lighter note, I wanted to say how proud I am of Kevin! He never lets his physical disability stop him.?

He has a 3rd?Dan belt in karate, runs his radio station, independent radio, is learning to speak Japanese and is the best uncle to my two boys.?

To find out more about CDC?Cerebral Palsy.

Thank you for reading, and please be kind.?