David Shaw

Hey. Here’s my answers, hope they’re ok.

What is your neurodivergence and how it helps you to succeed?

I’m autistic and this gives me a keen eye for detail as well as a thoroughness that means I often notice what others miss. This comes in handy when checking customers’ policies.

What are your challenges?

I work in webchat where we have to deal with 2 customers at a time. Sometimes I struggle to process both conversations simultaneously, meaning it can take a bit longer than normal to deal with each query. I also can’t always read between the lines of what the customer is saying.

How do you cope?

I work with my team leader and colleagues to work out ways to reduce chat length. I also try to time each chat so that when one customer is typing I can be dealing with the other customer.

How do you build relationship with your boss?

I’m often intimated by authority figures that I’ve never interacted with. But with my current manager I had to go to her with a problem I was having and she helped me get it resolved, which then made me feel a lot more comfortable around her. So basically, open-ness is the key in my experience.

How do you build supportive network among your colleagues?

I don’t usually. We tend to have a Skype group while on shift so that we can help each other when needed, but I sometimes find it distracting so when nobody adds me to it I don’t usually chase them for it.

Any advice you could give?

Being open and honest is what’s helped me most – about anything at all, not just my autism. And be prepared to fight for any accommodations that could help you as they may not come as easily as they should.