scotsman
Established Member
- Joined
- 6 Jul 2010
- Messages
- 3,252
Guys, Aspergers is a sliding scale - it affects everyone differently
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Cherry_Picker
Established Member
We know. My question is that if you have one job available and five applicants, one of which has aspergers and four of which who dont, does the aspergers become a factor?
That is my question too, and if so have they heard of the Equality Act? Denying someone a job because of a disability is only allowed if the disability definitely affects their ability to do that job competently, and that can only be decided in the case of Asperger by evaluating that person's ability in the field (or a simulation). My guess is they chose to deny me rather than go through that hassle 
Don't suppose you could go into further detail on what makes a very strong applicant? Do you mean because of a build up of previous work experience or due to specific jobs.
scotsman
Established Member
- Joined
- 6 Jul 2010
- Messages
- 3,252
Absolutely not.
Cherry_Picker
Established Member
Its not really my area of expertise, the point was purely hypothetical, but when you can have hundreds of applicants for a dozen or so jobs then logic dictates that there will be more strong applicants than there are vacancies and that people in recruitment have to make some incredibly difficult decisions. I am sure that there have been countless examples of times where the company would like to recruit more people based on the strength of the applicant but have to cut some people because of the number of vacancies.
Which kind of leads me to this:
It's impossible to say for certain, isnt it?
That is my question too, and if so have they heard of the Equality Act? Denying someone a job because of a disability is only allowed if the disability definitely affects their ability to do that job competently, and that can only be decided in the case of Asperger by evaluating that person's ability in the field (or a simulation). My guess is they chose to deny me rather than go through that hassle
I think you'll find that operational railway jobs are exempt form the disability discrimination legislation.
The ability to pass the medical is a key part of the selection process. Any medical conditions have to be disclosed, and that is the stage at which their possible impact on work performance would be assessed.
And if I was denied based on the medical on the grounds of Asperger, they would find that they're not exempt from discriminating. There ARE cases in which Equality and Disability acts are ignored (as I said, they'd have to prove I was incapable of doing the job) but it would be challenged. If a blind man went for the job, there's an obvious reason why his disability means he couldn't do it...same with an amputee. Not so with "mental disorders", the severity of the disorder and how it impacts the person is all important.
ALL companies can use this getout clause BTW, they can discriminate if the disability means they are incapable of doing the job, but they have to prove it sufficiently...the rail companies aren't the only ones.
notadriver
Established Member
- Joined
- 1 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 3,734
I don't think you are suitable for the driver role. Sorry.
Why not? :-P
notadriver
Established Member
- Joined
- 1 Oct 2010
- Messages
- 3,734
Well maybe freight train driver ! ( no passengers ) 
Having has a read of some of the info available online about this condition, I'm afraid that I would have to agree that some of the common "symptoms" are likely to cause concern. Being clumsy, unnecessary physical movements, misscomprehension of spoken communication and especially awkward/ verbose communication.
A more constructive idea, might be for you to approach the RSSB for guidance. Mental health issues are most definitely part of the medical standard. If this kind of condition precludes you from selection, then I'm afraid that you have to accept it. If you take the confrontational line that you have above, then you'll do nothing apart from confirm the prejudices about the condition.
That's why I said it affects everyone differently. I'm no clumsier than most people, no spasms (I assume you mean spasms, although I've not heard of either being attributed to aspies), comprehension possibly but with training I would adapt (and again no worse than most people...I would also know when to confirm my comprehension, unlike most aspies) and about the only thing that might be attributed to me is verbosity...but again, I've been a radio operator in the past, I adapted to the required language format for the job with no more than a day's training and would have no problems there. I came into Asperger late and spent my whole life adapting to it without even knowing I had it.
Asperger Syndrome is a much maligned disorder in the media, from the recent(ish) hacker who claimed Asperger was his reason for hacking into the government (or whatever it was, I don't remember) to Rain Man with Sheldon Cooper (from Big Bang Theory) and Spencer Reid (from Criminal Minds, and it is suspected he is aspie although not stated) plus so many others in-between. Most people don't realise that these are done for effect mostly and not everyone with Asperger Syndrome is like that. People (for the most part) also don't realise that Asperger Syndrome is as much enabling as it is disabling, and someone with the disorder is far more capable of some tasks than others, specifically those (among others) where they are to be left alone for long periods of time. This is why I said before that my ability to do the job would need to be tested.
However, I will look into the RSSB and see if I can get guidance there, perhaps with a view to getting a professional's opinion that I would be suitable for the job.
Little update: I have applied for another train driving job with another company, and this time I have included Asperger in the application but have explained the fact that it is mild and would like them to discuss it with me if they are worried it may be a problem...and I never did get around to contacting the RSSB although I did look into it at the time. I have also explained that I have applied less than 6 months ago with another company and passed all but the SafePQ test.
Oh, and going back to the old post about confrontational attitude...AFAIK confrontation isn't really a facet of Asperger so it wouldn't be confirming any prejudices if I were to be confrontational, in fact it may be confirming misconceptions as if they were aspects of the condition, it's just I can be confrontational sometimes when I think (or know) I am right. What might seem confrontational to some is an aspie trying to make sense of the situation and making sure their point is put across properly...if a selection process doesn't take this fact into account, they are definitely failing on the equal opportunities front
Oh, and going back to the old post about confrontational attitude...AFAIK confrontation isn't really a facet of Asperger so it wouldn't be confirming any prejudices if I were to be confrontational, in fact it may be confirming misconceptions as if they were aspects of the condition, it's just I can be confrontational sometimes when I think (or know) I am right. What might seem confrontational to some is an aspie trying to make sense of the situation and making sure their point is put across properly...if a selection process doesn't take this fact into account, they are definitely failing on the equal opportunities front
danfitz123
Member
Hi, Hope this is the right forum. My dad drives buses for arriva. It is shift work obviously. In his depot there is a system in which he can swap his duty with another worker via a "swap club". I'm just wondering whether there is such an option on the railways. Thanks
From what I've read most TOC's accept drivers swapping duties - for example a driver swapping to do all lates when another would prefer all earlies.Hi, Hope this is the right forum. My dad drives buses for arriva. It is shift work obviously. In his depot there is a system in which he can swap his duty with another worker via a "swap club". I'm just wondering whether there is such an option on the railways. Thanks
Right forum, wrong post. I couldn't say which post you should be piggybacking on, seeing as I only really follow this one, but normally if you have questions of your type, you would start a new thread (post)
No harm done, of course, you're new to the forum :-P
danfitz123
Member
To become a train driver am I right it is not an imperative to have held a safety critical position?
I'm assuming everyone starts somewhere and employers will train people up for safety critical positions. I'm currently thinking about such positions because this is obviously a bonus. Sorry for all the questions lately I'm just very inquisitive and new questions keep popping up in my head.
I'm assuming everyone starts somewhere and employers will train people up for safety critical positions. I'm currently thinking about such positions because this is obviously a bonus. Sorry for all the questions lately I'm just very inquisitive and new questions keep popping up in my head.
An understanding of hazards and safety would definitely be an advantage when going for a safety-critical role, but you get about a year of training both in the class and next to a qualified driver in a train.
When it comes down to it, it's all down to the application and aptitude tests...fail the first, you have to wait 6 months...fail the second and you have to wait 6 months and only get 2 more tries...pass both and you still aren't guaranteed a job.
If you're what they're looking for, you'll get the job
When it comes down to it, it's all down to the application and aptitude tests...fail the first, you have to wait 6 months...fail the second and you have to wait 6 months and only get 2 more tries...pass both and you still aren't guaranteed a job.
If you're what they're looking for, you'll get the job
Thanks, well hopefully my volunteering with st johns ambulance might help. I realise. luck plays a huge role though given the competition
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I thought it insteresting First only care about the qualifications you recieved in the past five years so if you are in your mid-twenties or over they presumably do not care about GCSEs/A-Levels
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I thought it insteresting First only care about the qualifications you recieved in the past five years so if you are in your mid-twenties or over they presumably do not care about GCSEs/A-Levels
Beveridges
Established Member
I have got a first Class BSC Degree obtained years ago, plus numerous A Levels and GCSEs. In another years time, when applying with First Group, I will not have any qualifications to put down in their qualifications section!
Last edited:
countossie
New Member
- Joined
- 25 Aug 2011
- Messages
- 1
If you do not have a clean drivers licence is there any point applying??
Beveridges
Established Member
Depends if the TOC specifies if you must have a clean license or not, I don't think many that would check for this, but DRS is one of them but I think they are in the minority!
Of cause if youve got a full clean license it's always worth a quick mention on the app form, can only go in your favor
Of cause if youve got a full clean license it's always worth a quick mention on the app form, can only go in your favor
Driving cars has nothing whatsoever to do with driving trains. I was taught by someone who does not hold a car licence, and I know some 40 year drivers who don't.
The only time it could be relevant, is on the freight operators who may expect you to drive by road in a company van to pick a train up. As they do not train drivers from scratch, it should not affect you. However, if you have a conviction for drink driving, forget it.
It is not so much having a license but the amount of time it takes to get to your depot, if you can cycle or walk it the TOC will not be bothered if you have a driving license
ungreat
Member
- Joined
- 11 Nov 2006
- Messages
- 964
Yes it is no problem...I swap for lates myself with another driver who likes earlies.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
No.Not at all.You would be trained for such duties.
What pecentage of drivers generally just stick to the allocated shifts (ie mix of lates and earlies) and what percentage tend to enter swap agreements? Just curious really.
Are there more people out ther for example who would prefer all earlies but there's not enough people wishing to swap the other way (or perhaps the other way around)?
Are there more people out ther for example who would prefer all earlies but there's not enough people wishing to swap the other way (or perhaps the other way around)?
Cherry_Picker
Established Member
That varies massively from depot to depot. Generally speaking, the bigger the depot the easier it is to get a swap (either one day or a permanent swap) simply because there are more people to ask. Family men might prefer early shifts, but you would be surprised at how many people hate getting out of bed at the crack of dawn. Just talking from personal experience, the number of people who prefer permanent earlies and the number of people who want permanent lates tends to balance out, but even that depends on how early your depot's early shifts start and how late your depot's late shifts finish.