When did B.S. like this start happening? Why did non-issues become so important, front and center stage over job performance?
Seriously, I was overseas between 2003 and 2018, so the reverse culture shock retuning to work in an office environment was ultra-shocking.
I also went from normal, successful and competent to incompetent, mentally and communicatively disabled somehow during the 12 hour flight back to the west. I also had aged overnight. I didn’t realize how old I was until the attitude of office workers reminded me.
The difference in treatment was night and day. I was blindsided by the absolute intolerance of my fellow American citizens and coworkers.
My first day back in the office stateside, I was told by my supervisor to, “stop smiling! This is work!” I was just enjoying the change. I didn’t realize how miserable the workplace had become during my absence. People have gone far out of their way to punish neurodivergence these past few years. It’s a horrible and shameful development that should have never been allowed to flourish.
I empathize with your story. One of my colleagues overseas had the same issue. It’s something that is very easy to work around, just like my borderline autism. I don’t understand why things have developed this way. It’s insane.
Thanks for sharing your story!