Dealings with Payroll, Human Resources....
I did not know where to place this topic of discussion so I just simply chose work preparation. This topic I guess could fit in with work preparation to some extent. Forgive me if I might of misplaced this topic or if this topic in someway has already been covered.
Basically we have dealt with interaction with co-workers, managers, getting jobs, keeping jobs, developing skills and even dealing with the public. How about discussing the interaction because areas such as Human Resources, Payroll or anything related.
Does anyone have any stories or experiences in dealing with areas such as Payroll or Human Resources? Does anyone have difficulty (or had) in understanding certain benefits, paperwork or procedures dealing with "getting your foot in the door"?
When I started I had some difficulty with this. Reading all of those papers about the medical benefits, the retirement benefits, the other benefits and just dealing with these offices. I don't know how I did it. It was very overwhelming and confusing. Luckily my dad and a few fellow co-workers helped me out. Sometimes I still wonder if I chose the right stuff and am doing the right thing. I'm not good with comprehending things such as benefits, finance or even retirement.
It would be interesting to hear about other people's experiences with the above or even related issues. I hope I made myself clear with this.
Dealing with HR
I have had to read some formal legal (contracts) recently and have found it really hard. The wording seems highly logical and I can't semm to "get under the skin" of it!
With regard to HR I had to once go through a disciplinary procedure with a member of my staff.
It was a highly unpleasant experience given the person's personality. They had the total advantage of knowing exactly what I was going to ask them as I had spoken to them informally about the issues before. Emotionally and cognitively I hadn't prepared myself for it at all.
Consequently, the experience was extremely stressful, as it required me to try to "think on my feet" something which, as someone with AS, I am very ill equipped to do, (of course, afterwards, when I had had a chance to reflect on the argument they put forward and dissect it, I provided a comprehensive and effective rebuttal based on facts).
In addition, I was given no proper preparation beforehand by HR: a few standard sentences that I had to put to the person aimed at basically keeping the situation out of a tribunal.
When I tried to speak to the HR Executive afterwards, he refused to even listen to what I had to say, something which agitated me even more. I, of course, reacted in an anxious, AS fashion which damaged the perception of me as an Executive even further in the company's eyes!
The point I missed was one of empathy or emotional intelligence. From an HR perspective he wasn't interested in my position or the difficulty that I found myself in - all he wanted to do was protect the wider legal interests of the company.
When dealing with people like HR, Legal or Finance it is essential to bear this in mind. Others will not sympathise with our typically literal and fair interpretations or egocentric approach to things.