BBC Victoria Derbyshire - Dyslexia discrimination in the workplace

A woman with dyslexia has won her discrimination case against Starbucks. Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. Victoria Derbyshire spoke to Sean Douglas, Founder of The Codpast, Rosie Edmondson and Louise Green who all suffer from dyslexia and have been discriminated against in the workplace.
Video courtesy of BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/p...

[@simonhartley3834]

Absolutely a learning difference! Best way to put it! We dyslexics have to work with are strengths and put are selves in positions where we can use them. Because most of us are visual learners I often wonder how much better my grades would of been if KZbin was online when I was in education. KZbin is a blessing for me now and text to speech!

[@nikolugo]

Same here I always wonder what it would have been like if I had KZbin and text to speech I was in school

[@ashleywhitethisisabsolutel1004]

I work for a government department and it took them four months to get my reasonable adjustment simply I was left for months sat at my desk doing absolutely nothing it was devastating and soul destroying. In the end I put in a formal complaint and this particular government department has apologised and is reviewing its policies and procedures. It would appear even government departments in the United Kingdom are still struggling to understand the basic concepts of dyslexia. If you put the reasonable adjustments in in good time dyslexia is no longer a barrier but when you’re sat waiting for months and months and months that has an affect on how you are viewed and your ability to do your job. The example I always give is if you were needing glasses and you didn’t have your glasses you wouldn’t be able to do your job to the best of your ability and it’s very much the same principle with dyslexia.

[@davibramplin2671]

I talk to a lot (really - LOTS) of Dyslexic people and i am amazed how so many end up in an unsuitable line of work. Many are trying to qualify to work in Careers where attention to detail is important, or where accurate information needs to be presented well. Lawyers for example.

[@genesis1vs268]

I was abused as a child by my father because I was dyslexic I had a difficult childhood at one point was beating so bad I pee my bed at night I was scared to go to school because my teachers and classmates would make fun of me so I drop out of school early to this day I can’t get a meaningful job 😞I’m always depress these days to be honest

[@sophiacpescador]

Here in the US you can't tell an employer that you have dyslexia. I have 8 years of financial background and can not get a job or interview when I have disclosed this .

[@l1meyman]

Damn...same ..i studiply disclosed my status...now getting laid off

[@erickarivera7316]

Wow that is crazy . Well every since I disclose my status to my new manger/supervisor she’s is currently none stop picking on me because of my dyslexia and ADHD but I will not give up I will fight back because that is discrimination against our disabilities and there’s laws that protect us all.

[@Gibson1976uk]

I’m very smart with a few good skills but I ended up working in a supermarket where you can just turn up and do simple tasks and leave :) I have two jobs and my other one has office workers that Are not that good!! but they have arrogance! I have done stuff for them like fix a photocopier! change printer carts! voice the odd idea, got snubbed and then see them use my idea and claim it as theirs :) funny twist to that is that i am the ONLY employee who went to uni :) I am educated but feel like I’m stupid in their eyes as I am given the lowest of tasks unless they need disparate help!! They know I’m smart, but they ignore it when I’m not needed, I am looking for a new job anyway :)

[@thecodpast]

You sound like you have a great skill set. Hang in there and in time something will come up that allows you to reach your full potential.

[@ashleywhitethisisabsolutel1004]

I recently started working for a government department, it took them four months to put my reasonable adjustments in play. It was an absolutely awful experience for me. I was sat at my desk for months doing absolutely nothing waiting for these reasonable adjustments to arrive despite at my office and let my employer know I needed Dragon NaturallySpeaking and various other adaptions in order to help me carry out my job effectively in the workplace I told them this two months before my actual start date so they were fully informed and yet I still had to wait for additional months for adaptions to arrive. Eventually, I put in a formal complaint about the government department concerned, they apologised and are now looking in to the issues and will be making changes to their policies and procedures to ensure this doesn’t happen again to future employees. Dyslexia doesn’t need to be a problem at all. All you need to do is make the appropriate adjustments then it becomes a lot easier to deal with. Eg If somebody had sight problems if you give them glasses the barrier is removed in most cases and that’s the argument I put forward when trying to explain the importance of adjustments when discussing dyslexia. However, I’m pleased to say that my complaint was taken seriously and they are doing all they can to ensure the lessons are learned. However, because of my experience, I have now left this particular government department and found myself a job elsewhere unfortunately, I had no choice but to leave my confidence was shattered I couldn’t wait to leave simply because of this experience there. However, I’m pleased to say I’ve got a new job and I’m looking forward to the future. Cheers Ashley

[@matte4562]

I have dyslexia and dyspraxia. The time keeping thing and forgetting things within seconds sounds like the more dyspraxia side to me. I'll be at work and my manager will ask me to do something and within seconds it's gone

[@thecodpast]

Hey Random BlackDude, I know exactly how you feel. :)

[@owenbevt3]

It's interesting I've just come to this after your video about remembering cards. When the woman on the right says she has short term memory problem I'm not sure that's right, for me and it sounds like her the problem is taking in details like times and similar names quickly, unless the particular time means something to me (like being usual dinner time or something) it's just one of many times with a similar 'shape' in my head and I'll soon forget which.

[@kingjaheazie6097]

I wish we changed or add the laws in America and all around the world so all the adults with dyslexia would get assistive technology help in every day life with reading and writing. We should the future for kids and adults alike.

[@thecodpast]

Totally! We feel exactly the same!

[@kingjaheazie6097]

Awesome Please share this idea

[@riat360]

I have dyslexia where comprehension of information is hard for me, I’m slow to eventually understand information. I have had extensions to coursework deadlines during university. In the workplace, employers strictly want employees to meet deadlines in handing in work for the business. I’m working towards to get into the banking & finance sector hence will I face discrimination into the industry???

[@eriktarver2087]

I'm dyslexic, always wanted to be a firefighter. Took the civil service exam and passed with high score, was pass over because they weren't sure if I could do the job.What they didn't know is I was a volunteer firefighter/emt for 16 years. Discrimination is real.

[@tennis5126]

Is it discrimination if a child was rejected from working as a uni professor? Is it discrimination if a low IQ wasn't shortlisted for an interview as a physicists? Is it discrimination if a person with no legs or arms and blind was rejected for a job as a driving instructor?

[@eriktarver2087]

I'm not sure what to make of your points but my point is I went through all of the training and passed it proving that dyslexic people can do whatever they put their minds to. We're judged by people a lot of times before we ever get the chance to prove ourselves.

[@rob-123]

It might not be any of that, they may have had someone lined up for the job already, but due to policy they have to advertise the job out to the public. Its frastrating but keep on trying and you will get there.

[@heathermoore9162]

I am going through this at work at the moment. Worked for same company 13 years and last year has been awful. Getting support in from Dsylexia association but going through capability process which could lead to dismissal. Very disappointed and I feel like I am a faliure good video at least feel not so alone.

[@thecodpast]

We are sorry to hear what you are going through. Glad the video was helpful. Hopefully, these resources are useful too: thecodpast.org/2016/03/8316/ and www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35521061

[@mandlin4602]

That woman may be having a dyslexic moment and struggling to put her thoughts into words. I think the guy should have got more air time and he was better at explaining. I work at a bank and no one has never lost money because of me. ACTUALLY because I grew up with learning differences and I have “superior” level verbal reasoning I’m actually incredibly good at talking to all different types of people. Including NT, other dyslexics, even people with psychosis. My general IQ is 128, making me smarter than more than 80% of all people. I just take a bit longer writing things down and can be a bit forgetful but all my errors are easily fixed especially if I’m given just a little bit longer. I remember a task my team had to do and I was the last to finish. But the only one who got it right because I took longer to fully grasp the bigger picture rather than quickly read the words without putting the jigsaw together. I know it’s because of my higher IQ but if I get the proper amount of time to understand something. I do it better and find better ways to do it quicker than all of my non dyslexic co-workers. High IQ with dyslexia is actually an asset. Our brilliance is so good the weaknesses don’t matter.

[@Gibson1976uk]

I have the odd glitch that doesn’t kill anyone and I have experience with assholes jumping to conclusions that I’m stupid!!! Seriously, a lot of people will Not promote you or take you seriously! They make you feel like your below everyone! They hate it if you show superior intelligence and problem solving!! They will jump on you when you get a glitch as I call it :) and make it out to be an issue or risk!! I have a friend who lost her job lately, she feels they fired her for her dyslexia!! Made up excuses! Said she was slow and lazy!! I also know someone else who had the same treatment!! They worked their ass off!!! and had a team of workers who were drinking buddies as it can go :) who backed each other up or supported each other’s lies!!! and got her pushed out!! there is a lot of assholes out there but also good people!! But it’s not easy to get a job with decent workers who won’t try and bring you down! so stoned you only need one person who will have a position or influence, your going to be kept down or pushed out

[@rob-123]

Getting older now but what I've learnt over the years is people are poor and will shit over each other to climb the rat race. Managerment doesn't really work anymore and is a bit pointless, a good skill to learn is how to manage up, people will steal your idea's all the time but if you can learn how to control that then you will become a good asset and can build a safety net around yourself and feel comfortable.

[@Gibson1976uk]

@@rob-123 one thing I dislike about being older is having a manger who is like 20 and has zero people skills and talks to you like a kid at school? Of course they get challenged but you have to be careful because they can get butt hurt and make sure you don’t get anywhere :) I’ve been in situations where I’ve felt like I am the one keeping everything afloat while the kids panic and stress :)

[@tennis5126]

Is it discrimination if a child was rejected from working as a uni professor? Is it discrimination if a low IQ wasn't shortlisted for an interview as a physicists? Is it discrimination if a person with no legs or arms and blind was rejected for a job as a driving instructor?

[@l1meyman]

Lol they should put on job descriptions "dyslexics need not apply"