Autistic Co-worker Faces Termination: Office Hero or Heartless Colleague?

Picture this: you’re working in an office where you’re rewarded for finishing your tasks early. You’ve got your routine down, and you’re able to leave a few hours early most days. Then, a new co-worker with high-functioning autism joins the team, and he’s struggling to keep up. The office decides to ‘help’ him by volunteering YOUR time, without your consent. What would you do? ‍♀️ Let’s dive into this drama-filled story.

The Workload System

Skipping Lunch for an Early Exit

Enter Brian, the Struggling Newbie

Work Piling Up

Maria’s Plan to Help

Volunteering Others’ Time

Unaware and Unwilling

The Unexpected Workload

Brian’s Bold Move

Confrontation and Confusion

Maria Steps In

Standing My Ground

Office Tension Rises

Brian’s Job on the Line

Feeling Guilty?

Office Drama Unfolds: Who’s the Real A**hole?

In a whirlwind of office politics and unsolicited help, our protagonist finds themselves in the middle of a heated debate. Maria, the office do-gooder, volunteers the time of those who finish their work early to help Brian, the struggling autistic co-worker. Unbeknownst to our protagonist, they’re now expected to help Brian with his workload. When Brian drops off work for them to complete, they refuse, leading to a tense confrontation. With Brian’s job now on the line, our protagonist wonders if they’re the real a**hole in this situation. Let’s see what the internet has to say about this mess…

Don’t sacrifice your free time for someone else’s job. NTA

Management should provide support for the new guy with autism.

Supportive comment section with a touch of empathy.

Colleague with HFA faces termination. Commenters agree NTA, but offer empathy.

Supervisor not handling issue?

Legal responsibility for accommodating disabilities in the workplace

NTA. Don’t let someone else’s responsibility become your burden.

NTA stands up for themselves, and the replies are ruthless

Respecting privacy while supporting colleagues.

Understanding autism and consent: Don’t blame the coworker.

Company fails to accommodate disabled employee, Maria and boss TA

Not your responsibility , but is termination too harsh?

NTA for not wanting to do all the work. Maria is annoying

Misunderstanding due to autism leads to conflict at work

Standing up to a colleague who crossed the line

Efficient work system or dystopian nightmare?

Autistic co-worker’s workload struggles cause tension in the office.

Curious about the workload and management issues.

Supportive comment with a hint of humor about insufferable Maria

Supervisor’s lack of accommodations for autistic co-worker is unacceptable.

Employers responsible for accommodating disabilities. NTA for questioning termination.

Colleague defends termination of autistic co-worker.

NTA commenter suggests Brian needs to find a more suitable job

Collaboration denied: Should teamwork be a form of payment?

Understanding the challenges of being autistic in the workplace

NTA coworker needs occasional help, not a permanent crutch.

Helpful advice for a struggling co-worker, but not your job.

Don’t let a colleague dump their work on you!

Helpful suggestion to avoid termination of autistic co-worker

Efficient worker defends piece work, suggests communication for autistic co-worker.

Navigating social cues with an autistic co-worker: NTA for setting boundaries

NTA co-worker’s termination sparks debate on office etiquette

Brian’s rude behavior overshadows Maria’s mistake. NTA.

Offering helpful tips to a struggling co-worker.

Maria and Brian both suck for their unprofessional behavior

Defending Brian: Colleague criticized for not helping autistic co-worker

OP not obligated to help, but is Maria being unreasonable?

Employee with autism may need to find a better fit. NTA.

Don’t add to your workload unnecessarily . NTA

Commenter and reply agree that co-worker is difficult to deal with

Don’t let a colleague dump their work on you!

Standing up for personal time at work. NTA

Don’t be a nanny, NTA! Maria needs to mind her business

Support for not judging based on disability.

Software developer defends company, calls out volunteer coworkers.

Don’t let guilt cloud your judgement. NTA for expecting productivity.

Don’t let anyone guilt-trip you into volunteering your time.

Setting boundaries at work: Is it okay to refuse help?

Don’t let anyone guilt-trip you for being efficient!

Respect boundaries: Don’t volunteer someone else’s time!

Hands-off approach to co-worker’s termination sparks debate.

Co-worker volunteers someone without telling them, NTA calls out.