I just accepted a part-time job at a large grocery chain. I’m trans, so it’s incredibly hard to get hired in even a slightly demanding job market. The ‘labor shortage’ (pay shortage) is so desperate right now that they hired me without even an interview. While I really need the money for trans-related healthcare and to pay for college, I’m autistic, so it’s going to be really, really hard for me. Are there any steps I can take to reduce my suffering?
Gonna reiterate what has been said already. Don’t steal. Your new, people will be paying more attention to you than other employees and customers.
Do exactly what you are told, exactly as you are told it, and do what you can to not exceed those expectations.
Volunteer for as little as possible. When volunteering, do what you can to not be the first person to step forward. When you’re being cornered and you know you won’t be able to say “no”, take as long as you can to tell your boss “yes.” Maybe they’ll find somebody else.
If you’re asked to do anything you have not been specifically trained to do, by yourself, tell the supervisor/manager/trainer that you have not been trained and need training or an experienced partner to work with.
You can say “no” if the request seems more than should be reasonable. You will be asked questions by supervisors/managers to see how far they can push you.
Bit of advice from the Army, “Don’t let anybody know you know things that they don’t already expect you to know.” (remember what I said farther up about “not volunteering”, this is the silly way to say it)
Keep your power level hidden, when you need to be crafty, be like a ninja and work quietly and without attracting attention.
-Be polite but assured if you ever have to remind your boss that you need a break, or are on break.
-If your boss asks you to cover a shift or otherwise change your schedule on the spot, never answer right away. Tell them you have to check your schedule, and get yourself out of the hotseat before deciding. This signals to your boss that you’re willing to help but that you take your availability seriously and arent just going to pick up everyone’s slack.
-i have to remind myself out loud, “stoic, im stoic at work, no emotions at work” if i feel myself getting angry or upset. try not to vent at work either, ESPECIALLY not to the boss or to anyone higher up. People feed off that energy and its hard to reel it in sometimes. If you have to talk to the boss about needed changes, write it in a polite email format first to organize your words.
-do a good enough job that you arent making your fellow coworkers’ lives worse, but dont work so hard that you make your own life worse.
