Jakob
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Jakob is in his late 40s. He has myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), idiopathic hypersomnia, gastric issues and sleep apnoea.
Jakob’s doctors advised him to manage his ME by pacing himself. They warned, ‘Ignore it, you pay for it.’ He told the Royal Commission if he pushes himself too much he experiences muscle cramps, spasms, swelling around the neck and boils. He can suffer ‘fatigue crashes’ which can last weeks or months.
Jakob works as a software developer for a government department. His job is highly analytical and for many years he was well supported in the role.
Four years ago, Jakob started reporting to a new supervisor and manager. He said they both treated him poorly.
His disability was not understood or respected. His managers questioned his disability suggesting ‘maybe it’s all in your head’. They denied Jakob flexible work adjustments and refused his request to work from home.
At one stage Jakob’s personal information was exposed to other staff.
Jakob can’t understand why people who smoke are allowed to take breaks whereas people with disability are not allowed short breaks.
Jakob’s supervisor forced him to attend a rehabilitation program set up to support people at risk of self-harming. He felt it was not an appropriate program for him but he wasn’t given the option to refuse. ‘I felt … if I didn’t, I would be moved on.’
As soon as the manager told Jakob to attend the program he refused to engage further. His attitude became ‘[he] could outsource this problem … goodbye’.
Jakob made a complaint and the department carried out an independent investigation. He believes the final brief report was ‘false and misleading’. ‘It dismissed everything that I said. It makes me look confused,’ said Jakob. ‘That I didn’t understand my role and [my managers] were simply trying to help me.’
The manager and supervisor have since left, but Jakob doesn’t believe the issues have been resolved.
Jakob believes he is being ‘managed out the door’ and silenced.
During COVID-19 Jakob was allowed to work from home. He said this was a ‘godsend’ because he can take a short break every few hours. He believes it shouldn’t take a pandemic to be given flexible work adjustments.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.