Asking For Female Benefits Adviser At Job Centre - Reasonable Request?
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Bongo567
Posts: 92 Forumite
Due to my autism I connect better with females as I find them genuinely more helpful and understanding.
I'm just wondering if it's possible to request a female as my benefits adviser at the job centre? or would that be frowned upon? I've just grew up around females so feel safer around them..
Has anyone ever done this?
I'm just wondering if it's possible to request a female as my benefits adviser at the job centre? or would that be frowned upon? I've just grew up around females so feel safer around them..
Has anyone ever done this?
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Due to my autism I connect better with females as I find them genuinely more helpful and understanding.
I'm just wondering if it's possible to request a female as my benefits adviser at the job centre? or would that be frowned upon? I've just grew up around females so feel safer around them..
Has anyone ever done this?
Are you female? If you are and you're requesting an advisor of the same sex then it probably is a reasonable request. I can request a female doctor if I want to talk about female issues like vaginal problems or if I need a breast exam, same as a man can request a male doctor to discuss prostate issues.
If I advertise for a PA as a disabled female I can request applications from other females only because the job will involve helping me shower and dress.
If you're male and just prefer the company of females then they are less likely to allow you a female advisor unless you have medical evidence from a consultant or specialist in your mental health to back up your need.0 -
Are you only going to work with women?
Connecting better is not a valid reason to insist on a female advisor, irrespective of your gender. I'd look on this as an opportunity to learn to connect better with males also.0 -
Are you female? If you are and you're requesting an advisor of the same sex then it probably is a reasonable request. I can request a female doctor if I want to talk about female issues like vaginal problems or if I need a breast exam, same as a man can request a male doctor to discuss prostate issues.
If I advertise for a PA as a disabled female I can request applications from other females only because the job will involve helping me shower and dress.
If you're male and just prefer the company of females then they are less likely to allow you a female advisor unless you have medical evidence from a consultant or specialist in your mental health to back up your need.
It's not just about company though, it is the fact of feeling safe.. as I've had bad experiences with males in the past bad childhood upbringing etc.. I'm more likely to attend to see a female as opposed to a male. I have massive anxiety and don't think it's an unreasonable request if it helps overcome that? (and they have enough staff)
I don't care about money, I care about my sanity and mental health so even if they sanction me for not attending to see a male member of staff I don't care.. my anxiety is too overbearing to deal with.
It's the reason I have a female hairdresser, female doctor etc.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it.. we are who we are due to our upbringing and we need to get over these judgements and gender barriers, it is who we feel comfortable with and should all have a choice/freedom.0 -
BorisThomson wrote: »Are you only going to work with women?
Connecting better is not a valid reason to insist on a female advisor, irrespective of your gender. I'd look on this as an opportunity to learn to connect better with males also.
Some appointments at the job centre aren't about people going back to work, if you're getting carers allowance and income support you have to go to the job centre to get advice about an eventual return to work even though carers are not expected to seek work at all.It's not just about company though, it is the fact of feeling safe.. as I've had bad experiences with males in the past bad childhood upbringing etc.. I'm more likely to attend to see a female as opposed to a male. I have massive anxiety and don't think it's an unreasonable request if it helps overcome that? (and they have enough staff)
I don't care about money, I care about my sanity and mental health so even if they sanction me for not attending to see a male member of staff I don't care.. my anxiety is too overbearing to deal with.
It's the reason I have a female hairdresser, female doctor etc.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it.. we are who we are due to our upbringing and we need to get over these judgements and gender barriers, it is who we feel comfortable with and should all have a choice/freedom.
Without evidence of you being unable to mix with males without experiencing psychological distress you're unlikely to get a female advisor guaranteed to you. For all they know you're just a creep who wants to harass a female worker. If you're on ESA and this formed part of your claim it might be feasible, or if you could get a letter from your doctor explaining your issues.0 -
OP you answered your own question really when you mentioned staff levels, thats likely to be the barrier that will stop you getting what you want. Surely you aren't going through your life never interacting with men?0
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I think if you have a disability which is autism then you are requesting a reasonable adjustment i.e. a female member of the team which you are comfortable with, totally acceptable. Just remember some people just do not understand this condition and will make unhelpful comments. Good luck0
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BorisThomson wrote: »Are you only going to work with women?
Connecting better is not a valid reason to insist on a female advisor, irrespective of your gender. I'd look on this as an opportunity to learn to connect better with males also.
The JC advisers are not placed to do this.
OP will need help to start to communicate with males that are strangers it is not fair on the JC advisors or the OP to shove them both in that situation.0 -
Poppy_flower wrote: »I think if you have a disability which is autism then you are requesting a reasonable adjustment i.e. a female member of the team which you are comfortable with, totally acceptable. Just remember some people just do not understand this condition and will make unhelpful comments. Good luck
It *may* be a reasonable adjustment. Ultimately only a judge could determine if it is or not.
If he is allocated a female advisor who he doesn't get on with, what then?0 -
People with autism do not think like others I to have aspergers and will only work with 1 female support worker as I can relate to her. I can also talk to females better at appointments but being female does not make it easy for me. I really struggle talking to other men (I am Male) but that is not a bad thing as it can trigger me so people assessing me can actually see me better than if I was comfortable,
Asking someone with some psychological or mental disorder to learn to speak to x gender is like asking someone who cant walk due to disability to learn to walk better. I know to average folks that seems like a far fetched example but none of us know how the OP is thinking or what makes him Tick. Unfortunately Autism is still very much misunderstood and I could be perfectly normal for a few hours but if something suddenly overwhelms me I can be like a 3 year old tantrum in a supermarket.
My advise to the OP is yes you can request it under the grounds of needs special needs when attending appointments however like any request it is only just that a request. Most times the Job center will actually grant most request where possible but you can ask to book an appointment rather than the usual sit and wait to be called by the next available agent, or better still they offer home visits if you qualify for that.0
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