From the descriptions of Sally, it sounds to me like she might have some form of Asperger’s. Very needy, in constant need of reassurance, lots of talk that seems undirected, everything is about them…really sounds like Asperger’s.
This is a true condition, not some kind of made-up psycho-babble to excuse immaturity. It’s a very tough condition. Many people with Asperger’s are very intelligent, and they have to find ways to get along and hold down a job in a society that doesn’t understand or tolerate them and their “weirdness.”
What this means for employers, at least in the U.S., is ADA-compliance. All companies must make reasonable accommodations for someone with a disability, including for people with Asperger’s. It’s the law.
If the companies do NOT make reasonable accommodations, it could mean a lawsuit.
Now if you’re in Canada, perhaps they don’t have these same rules about accommodations for people with disabilities.
One of my work friends has a son with Asperger’s. I’ve known her since her boy was born, so I’ve seen all the agony that the family and the son have endured. It’s a daily struggle. He’s very intelligent, and graduated from high school (with much, much help with his social skills), and has tried community college, but can only manage one class at a time. The college provides a “helper” for each student with Asperger’s, and this helper leads the student through their day–there are constant demands on the helper.
The young man found a job in a grocery store, and required constant assurance that he was doing it correctly. He had to have lists written down for almost every task, and he was full of self-doubt about every little thing. Thankfully the grocery store (part of the Schnuck’s chain) has been so good and patient with him, and the staff are continually helping him succeed in his job…
We can’t just dump people with Asperger’s onto the streets, no matter how hard it is to deal with them.
As I’ve said before, you must find the balance between getting your work done in a timely way, and also helping co-workers like Sally who might just have a disability that she doesn’t feel comfortable sharing with her co-workers. Even though you are looking for another job, at this time, this is where God Himself has placed you, and He is placing you there to help you become more Christ-like. Learn the lessons that He is trying to teach you.
