06/03/2026
You can be great at your job and still end up on a performance plan. All because morning small talk and “optional” social events seem to somehow matter more than your ability to do the work you were hired for.
It’s a double standard that many high-masking autistic adults face every day. In reality, we’re often excellent workers who do our tasks carefully. But companies still find ways to judge us for trying to protect our energy.
This usually looks like being penalized for:
• Skipping social events and work travel.
• Not greeting every coworker every morning.
• Sitting away from everyone else at lunch to rest.
We see this all the time in our work. People who do their jobs perfectly still worry about losing their positions simply because they need to skip a work trip. When a company cares more about social habits than the actual work you do, you’ll burn out.
If you are dealing with this at work and need support, we offer free consultations about our support services, including work accommodations, therapy, group support, and coaching.
→ Reply or DM BOOK to have a free 15-minute consult with one of our neurodivergent team members so you don’t have to navigate this double standard alone.
