Ben9h ago

If, like me, you've been actively seeking a job recently, you will likely be aware of the impact Ai has had on the job market. Virtually every other day is a msm news story about qualified and/or experienced people making hundreds of applications without getting anywhere.

Personally, although I've had a few interviews that didn't quite land (one I didn't really have enough experience, the others were pulled or lost funding), I've now applied for over 300 jobs over the past year. At this stage I'm quite philosophical about it and recognise it's not a reflection of my value.

Along with all the other current crises, there is now a looming employment and skills crisis. This is being framed as a benefits culture led by overdiagnosis of neurodivergence. Which makes me so very very cross it's difficult to put into words. I know that's not true. You know that's not true. *They* know that's not true. It's just a convenient demographic to throw under the bus to detract from the catastrophic damage being wrought by this new gold rush.

Urgh.

I've started typing this out a few times recently and always deleted. It's not something I feel very comfortable talking about. But I am really struggling with this and I figure that if I am there might be others. And I believe in visibility and not suffering in silence - been there and it was awful.

I know things will change at some point. And I know I've spoken to some of you separately irl about this (and thank you so much for your support), but just wanted to fire a beam out across Fedi to anyone else in this shitty situation. You are not alone. Always happy to chat offline if this is kicking your ass as much as it is mine! X

#jobs
#employment

Show threadJ. L. Yocum9h ago

@TheBreadmonkey Curious what you mean when you say it’s “framed as a benefits culture led by overdiagnosis of neurodivergence.”

Do neurodivergent people actually get *benefits* where you live?! Like, monetary benefits sizable enough they can decide not to work?!

I am an autistic guy in the U.S. And I’m in a benefits-heavy region of my country (New York State). I can assure you that neurodivergent people do not get one measly freaking dime in pay-outs, not in this neck of the woods.

Show threadBen8h ago

@jlyocum

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8q26q2r75o

Streeting orders review into mental health and ADHD diagnoses

The health secretary says the aim is to tackle a rising demand for services and pressure on the NHS.

BBC News
Show threadJ. L. Yocum8h ago
@TheBreadmonkey I see… but wouldn’t removing people from the labor pool (via job-replacing benefits) actually *increase* available jobs for those willing to work?
Show threadBen8h ago

@jlyocum

There's a perfect storm in the UK at the moment with Brexit removing opportunities for economic migrants who have historically met the needs of some markets, then Covid interrupting the pipeline, initiatives to replace 'low-skilled' workers with visa/sponsorship-driven workers (expensive for employers and, who upon moving to the UK then quit/move and/or get lost in the system), successive governments cutting funding from public services, significant employer cost rises, and then a huge push on Ai which has had a deleterious effect at every level. So there are stark employment shortages (care, for example), record numbers of people unemployed, *and* a benefits crisis. Because there's been a spike in Dx for ND, this has been attributed as the main cause (by the Health Secretary).

In short, we're being told neurodivergent people are workshy benefit cheats. And I have to read that on a regular basis despite having applied for more than 300 jobs in 12 months. I think I've had interviews for 6 jobs in that time. It's quite frustrating.

Show threadJ. L. Yocum7h ago
@TheBreadmonkey I see. While I don't live in the U.K., I did spend a full month there about 20 years ago, have worked a total of five years for U.K.-based employers, and have many close friends that do live there... and I have to say what you've described sounds very English to me (though by this I do not mean to negate all the wonderful things that are also very, very English — such as Staffordshire County oat cakes, miners' strike culture, curry sauce on chips and The Stone Roses).
Show threadJ. L. Yocum7h ago
@TheBreadmonkey And the U.K. is by no means alone in its portrayal of newly-Dx'd neurodivergent workers as 'workshy benefit cheats' — it happens in the U.S. even though a) no such benefits actually exist in the U.S. for neurodivergent workers and b) in my experience, the only people who actually do any fucking work in any fucking workplace are the neurodivergent ones.
Show threadJ. L. Yocum
@TheBreadmonkey (Pardon my French.)
1:49pmWeb
Show threadBen7h ago

@jlyocum

😂