We know that we are all different. But I am not sure that any of us realise how different we can be about even the most basic things. The world of work today is obsessed with collaboration – it is the main argument given for the drive to get people back into the office. This is rather bizarre since it is now easy to collaborate even if you are on opposite sides of the world,…
For some time, there has been a big push in the UK to get people to install smart meters for their home energy use. The claim usually made in the endless adverts is that these devices help you reduce the power you use and, hence, your bills. While it’s true that these devices can help you reduce your energy consumption and subsequently your bills, the common misconception is that installing a smart meter alone is…
Performance review meetings are integral to corporate life and crucial for assessing and improving employee performance. However, many managers may need to realise how scary and stressful these can be for many people. In particular, if you have anxiety or are different in some way, such as being neurodivergent, these meetings can be challenging. I always approach my performance review meetings with my manager expecting to be sacked. This is in no way the fault…
We live in a world where the language we use to describe ourselves and others is more sensitive than ever. People usually put their pronouns on name badges and in their email signatures not to make a political point but to make things easier for others and to avoid confusion. On top of this minefield, acceptable language changes rapidly with time. What was completely fine not so long ago may now be highly offensive. I…
I hated working at home for many years. I preferred to keep my home and work lives as separate as possible. At home, things became muddled, and distractions were everywhere. As much as anything, going to the office every day was my routine. But then along came covid. After two weeks of balancing a computer on my lap while sitting on the sofa, it became clear that I would not soon return to the office.…
I have always believed that Star Trek can teach us much about the world. One common trope of all the series incarnations is the space battle scene, in which the ship’s shields become dangerously depleted due to repeated attacks. The usual reaction of the captain is to divert all available power to the shields, and a narrow escape then usually follows. As an autistic person in a bewildering world, I find myself adopting a similar…
There is a wonderful scene in the British TV comedy “Fawlty Towers” where a hotel guest complains about the view from her room. The hapless manager explains that what she can see is Torquay, the town she is visiting. The guest responds that this is not good enough! There are many things that we can control in life, and it is often appropriate and even helpful to be challenged on these. But I am not…
The story is told of a couple whose first date was a dinner cooked by the young lady for her suitor. She made trout with almonds, which the young man declared delicious. The couple got married, and every year for their anniversary the lady prepared the same meal/ Without fail, her husband took great pleasure in eating it. One day, many years later, instead of eating the fish, the husband pushed the plate away untouched.…
The corporate world has always been full of nonsense catchphrases. “You don’t have to be mad to work here, but it helps.” – you would be mad to stay if this was said on a regular basis, though of course many of us do not have the luxury of changing jobs whenever we choose. “There is no I in team” – no, but there are 2 in ‘annoying platitude’. “The customer is always right” –…
Have you noticed how instruction manuals are getting thicker and thicker? When you buy even the simplest of appliances, it comes with its own encyclopaedia. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, because of the huge number of warnings that need to be included for legal protection, like not using your toaster in the bath or drinking the contents of the car battery. What is really worrying is that I strongly suspect that…