Chester Zoo told a young worker who has autism to 'make better eye contact' with customers despite signing up as a champion for the condition.
The 'mortified' 21-year-old felt unable to carry on in his seasonal post in the attraction’s busy restaurant after the remark in a written performance review.
Difficulty holding eye contact is a common autism trait.
'Shocking'
The lad’s mother said of the demand, issued by bosses at Chester Zoo: “They knew when they employed him that my son had autism, so to make that comment is shocking.”
Within weeks of his review the worker was told to attend a group interview if he wanted to work the following season.
But the lad, a worker at the zoo since his teens, said he felt unable to stay.
His mother added: “If they knew the first thing about the condition they’d have thought before saying that about him.
“He’s devastated. It’s the only job he’s ever had and he loved it.
"If customers had a problem with him not always looking at them, the zoo should have been big enough to stand up for him.
“He’s not been able to work since and it has severely affected his confidence.”
Her comments were backed by Cambridge University professor Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre.
He said: “For many with autism, eye contact can be painful.
“To insist a person with autism makes eye contact is as unethical as asking a person with a physical disability to leave their wheelchair and walk upstairs.”
Champion pledge
Chester Zoo pledged in December to be a champion under the government-backed Connect to Autism project.
A spokesman said the zoo had other members of staff who are on the autistic spectrum and offered 'a diverse and accommodating range of employment opportunities'.
He added: “As one of our former seasonal employees we worked closely with the employee to adapt his role and working environment.
"We wouldn’t wish to share the details of any individual’s employment record publicly, but we are pleased to have helped him develop his career in the time he has spent here.
"When the employee applied for seasonal work this year he was asked to attend an interview which reflected the nature of the role he was applying for in one of the busiest areas of the zoo, but as he declined the option to attend this interview we were unable to consider his application.
"While we have always made adjustments for the employee and would have continued to do so had he been successful in his application, we also have a duty to provide interview scenarios that are relevant to the job.
"We’ve since been in regular contact with the individual and his family to try to help work through any concerns they may have.
"Earlier this year Chester Zoo signed up to the Autism Charter as a public commitment to our long held values and as such have pledged to being an autism friendly visitor attraction.
"We have members of staff who are on the autistic spectrum and feel that we are offering a highly diverse and accommodating range of employment opportunities.”
