Warning at work - do you tell them your dyslexic?

ganderson1804

My brother is dyslexic and dispraxic, has poor eye sight, is partially deaf. He's a lovely guy but socially a little awkward. Incredibly clever but not great at expressing/applying it.

27 years old this year. He got standard grades at school and went no further. He's worked in a pizza shop, ended up running it (locking up, cashing till etc). Then he moved to a supermarket stacking shelfs (night shift). He's thoroughly fed up with life, he feels like he's in a dead end job, not much of a social life, no girlfriend etc.

Decided he wanted a change. Stopped nightshift and moved to evening shift. Put himself through college doing administration in an attempt to start to build a career for himself. Completed college with flying colours and started the job hunt. Took 8 months to get a job and finally he was given a chance in a real estate company. He's loving it.

But... He had a 6 week review, they said he's a lovely person but not meeting the high level they expect. Have him 2 weeks to prove himself. He got his second review today and they've said the same thing. They are a busy company and he's not meeting their expectations and it's taking him a longer than they'd expect to pick things up. He's trying his best.

Is it time to tell them he's dyslexic? Or should that not come into it? I've tried giving him advice, but short of saying 'just try your best' it's hard to know what to say...

Any advice appreciated x

Indie_Kid

They might be able to help him. But they can't help him (and he can't whinge) if he doesn't tell them.

PlymouthMaid

Since he had two 'warnings' about performance I dont think it would do any harm to explain his dyslexia etc but I think he should try to make it sound as though he is not making excuses but seeking ways in which to get better. Can he identify where the problems lie as if he can provide solutions it will look better?

pinkshoes

Have they given him a clear list of instructions on the steps he needs to take to improve?

Is it his dyslexia that is preventing him achieving these things?

ganderson1804

Indie_Kid wrote: »

They might be able to help him. But they can't help him (and he can't whinge) if he doesn't tell them.

Yes you are right. He hasn't told them up to now as he didn't feel it was relevant and didn't want to be discriminated against by the judging him on it.

ganderson1804

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

Since he had two 'warnings' about performance I dont think it would do any harm to explain his dyslexia etc but I think he should try to make it sound as though he is not making excuses but seeking ways in which to get better. Can he identify where the problems lie as if he can provide solutions it will look better?

This is a great response. It's not an excuse, it's just making them aware that it might take him a little longer to learn the things they expect of him. I've already suggested he takes lots of notes to make sure he doesn't forget things. They've just told him he's not picking up things as quickly as they need someone too.

ganderson1804

pinkshoes wrote: »

Have they given him a clear list of instructions on the steps he needs to take to improve?

Is it his dyslexia that is preventing him achieving these things?

From what I understand it's silly mistakes. The use of 'there', 'their' and 'they're'. Also 'principle' and 'principal'. He pulls together packs for issuing to clients and forgets to add in the fee note attachment or the t&cs.

I've told him to take notes when he's corrected on these silly mistakes so he has a reference for next time but he does struggle with his grammar. I've told him it's very frustrating for people checking work to keep correcting the same issues and that he's no excuse for making the mistake twice.

[Deleted User]

I'm wondering why he specifically went into this type of job (admin) which is going to mainly use the skills that are more difficult for him. There surely are other jobs which are 9-5 which don't emphasise these more difficult skills?

I think you and he are going to have to go through his daily routine, figure out what is causing difficulties and see what can be done to help him.

I used to write an induction manual for every job I had (if there wasn't one already, or improve what was there). Helped me figure out how to do what I had to do in the most efficient way possible. Lol I always started off as admin and ended up office manager!

Re the grammar/spelling mistakes. I'm afraid this is where the differences between attitudes at college and work are going to tell. At college, they'd not make such a big deal about them because of the dyslexia, but at work - they are going to be worried about the impression made upon the recipient of the document who won't know the sender has dyslexia. It's a hard one to overcome. How has he in the past? Would making a list of words he can mispell help or would coloured filters help?

However, he's probably feeling like he's drowning right now so telling him he's got no excuses for making a mistake twice might not help him feel he can overcome these difficulties. Help him enable himself. Make a list of what documents go into which regular communication bundles. Colour code them if necessary I.e. Put coloured stickers on whatever storage there is so he can easily pick out the docs, and do colour coded sticker lists if he finds word lists difficult to read. Get him to organise himself as much as possible so there are fewer areas he can go wrong and less overstimulation. It can be done.

ganderson1804

Topcat1982 wrote: »

Is there sales involved in his job or just admin?

Just admin. He helps varies teams, legal, property etc

LilElvis

Are you/your brother living in the UK, or is it USA? A few phrases and words would suggest the latter and employment laws are hugely different between the two.

ganderson1804

LilElvis wrote: »

Are you/your brother living in the UK, or is it USA? A few phrases and words would suggest the latter and employment laws are hugely different between the two.

UK - North scotland. Not sure what I've said to make you think otherwise?

Oh maybe it was the real estate... That's too much watching millionaire listings!!