ADHD in the Workplace: How to Ask for Reasonable Adjustments
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ค. 2022
- After my diagnosis of ADHD in 2020, while relieved hear the results of my diagnosis, I also felt alone in it. Here’s what you can do to get the help you need in asking for Reasonable Adjustments in the workplace so that you can turn up as your best self.
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thank you!! its so nice to hear what others struggle with! Im sighed off work with stress for the 3rd time in a year as haven't got the adjustments. I disclosed my ADHD disability when I applied and explained how bad the sensory issues are, even had an Occupational health assessment due to the sensory issues. They let me work from home for a bit but was then told I should be in the office more, its open plan and I was saying how stressed I was as was given really complicated admin work (that wasn't on my job spec) and having to try to focus so hard and getting hours of sensory overload every day. A few weeks after that and daily panic attacks at work and I had a doctors appt. My boss called me and asked was I all set for the Dr Appt? He then said, Are you getting a new brain (laughing)? I felt so humiliated and realised this is why they were reluctant to give some of the adjustments, I went into a downward spiral after that, felt suicidal and have been too ashamed to return since. What on earth can you do when you've tried everything, and yet you fail every day?
I'm so sorry this happened to you, I've been dealing with something similar. It'll work out.
Oh, how I feel you...
I started work in a new place 2 months ago- I told my manager that I diagnosed ADHD. Once I found that the work environment was a mega distraction (I work as a well-being co-ordinator at a nursing home for residents living with dementia) I explained that I needed somewhere quiet to sit. This was taken on board (kind of) but then I was put back, sat in the distracting place after a few days. I was told "Just multi task" and when I got confused with the printer at work, my boss said 'jokingly' "How old are you?!"
I've also been told to plan ahead and focus more.... People really don't get it...
I'm looking into CBT and hoping to get some help via Access To Work.
Wishing you all the best of luck. I really do understand how you feel ❤
That's awful to hear those experiences. I've been looking into access to work which is something you don't seem to need to have your employer involved in so much as its a way to get funding for things that can help in the workplace like noise canceling headphones and taxis to work.
Thank you for this information. I recently asked for a very minor adjustment. Starting a half an hour earlier and finishing a half an hour earlier. I was told no.
This clip has given me the courage to fight it.
I had today off as RSD hit pretty hard but I'll be going tomorrow and won't be backing down! I don't think I'm asking too much and it does not affect the org in any way. Thanks again
Extremely good advice with excellent examples
This is very useful - thank you.
One thing you could have mentioned is the way that work is tasked to you, how is that managed?
THIS!
What if I am now working from home (Injury...FMLA required) And I am still not preforming. Paralysis is my major issue. (I reallllllyyyy dislike me job...)
What type of reasonable adjust can be made for a employee who does a manual job?
Ive worked for a facilities company for a year and a half and only now are they saying i cant drive any vehicles or use any power tools because they are worried about the attention deficit part of adhd theyve told me that health and safety have to assess me and they also said its unlikely i will be able to return to my duties because of having adhd, theres been no mention of occupational health or hr assessing me so my question is is this legal of does it count ad discrimination under the equality act 2010 ????
Great video...can please help me with my dyslexia?
Can I ask for these adjustments if I’m in a temporary contract? I’ve just had to come home in total overwhelm. There aren’t enough breaks and there is just too much to have to multitask continuously.
I feel like they are going to get fed up with my so called mistakes and being tearful and just sack me.
What about in America for contract workers?
Someone working for me has ADHD and his productivity has plummeted lately. I've asked him on multiple occasions to let me know what adjustments we can make but I think he either doesn't know or his brain doesn't want to think about it. Not quite sure what to do.
This is just my perception as someone who also struggles with ADHD. But as his productivity has suddenly "plummeted", the first thing that comes to mind is that he is likely to be going through some personal/ mental health issues which are exacerbating his symptoms of ADHD. This may also explain his apparent reluctance to address the situation- he may not have the mental space to think about his productivity at the moment, or perhaps he is just feeling hopeless or inadequate (ADHDers unfortunately often struggle with very low self esteem, especially in regard to productivity).
The cause of stress may be an external factor (e.g. his home life), but it could equally be that he simply hasn't been looking after himself very well recently. Exercise, diet and sleep all very heavily impact ADHD symptoms, and once you let things build up or let yourself fall into a "vicious cycle", it can feel almost impossible for someone with ADHD to get out this.
I'm aware you wrote this 3 weeks ago now, but I'd definitely advise having a personal chat with him (if you haven't done so already). Try to find out how he is doing mentally, and what exactly it is he's struggling with. And then really take some time with him to try and talk through some potential solutions together. ADHDers are often extremely misunderstood, so if you can show him this level of support and concern for finding a way to work around his needs then I'm sure he will appreciate it very much.
And if that doesn't work, and he is still reluctant to try find solutions, then the problem is likely quite serious & he may require professional intervention for his mental health/ any other potential issues he's facing.
Not sure if you'll see this, but I hope it helps. Firstly, kudos to you being such a great manager and offering to support your staff member. I work as a senior manager in a global corporate, was diagnosed unexpectedly, and had to figure out a lot about how ADHD plays out in the workplace due to lack of info available. I'm guessing that your employee may not know, much less be able to put it into words. I don't know the nature of the role, but here are a few things which help: clarify (often multiple times) priority order, context and due dates of tasks. This is a massive blind spot for ADHDers. Don't send long emails. Don't give verbal instructions (we can't hold information that way), do it in writing, listed out as logical bullets or numbered lists. Don't assume he will read the key parts of emails or remember - if some detail is critical, put it at the top in bold underline. Don't assume "not a big deal" tasks like filling a team spreadsheet or forms are easy for him. My boss never ceases being amazed at how stressed and late I am on tasks like this, yet that I can manage a legal crisis or complex conflict without breaking a sweat. If you're in an open plan office, try to give him a space that's separate or quiet. There's so much more but it may be enough to start a conversation.
@@rebecca_stonegreat tips, Im afraid to let my boss know Im have adhd, I’m running busy manufacturing plant, making up my shortcomings with extra time, not really happy about it, feel burnout after 10+ years as a production manager. Perhaps I need to change the job at this stage.
@Mujcanal "making up my shortcomings with extra time" oof. I feel this SO MUCH! I'm considered a "top performer" at work, but little do they know that's only because I don't take lunch and work late into the night to get everything done everyone else does during the workday while I'm hyperfixating on perfecting tiny details no one else cares about, and meanwhile my personal responsibilities, household, mental and physical health are all crumbling. I'm so burnt out and don't even know how to relax or self care anymore 😢
@@bmb3283 slow down, please. I did from this year and see improvement on mental side, which is everything ! No more Saturday's work , because something could be better, no more Mr. perfecto. no more staying late to do more. I do the best I can during normal hours now and I'm not worried anymore that task is not finished. Stay honest at work do the best within normal time, lights down, go home and chill, do whatever you like and do not think about work. Take care of yourself first and enjoy life.
Paperwork and emails are my difficulties. No reasonable adjustments given after asking many times. Diagnosed at 52, two years ago.
I was suspended for 4 weeks that led to the end of my contract, on a false aligation. In my suspention I had then a final warning 2 days before the end of my contract.
I haven't been working for 4 months, and not in a position to work. I have a tribuneral claim to submit, a solicitor informed me I have less than 51% of winning. This has made things worse. Any advice.?
Curious what adjustments you asked for re emails? Diagnosed at 42 and find non-stop expectations around emails, notifications and convoluted admin procedures a killer in my role (senior manager, corporate). Due to IT bureaucracy, it took 3 months to be allowed to upgrade a Microsoft app to manage tasks. No other task management tools allowed. It was my one adjustment request, and I had to write a case, explain my issues to several teams, technicians etc. Very demoralising. I found out there are many ADHD staff who were too intimidated to ask for this upgrade, but struggling too. Am looking for a new job because I can't sustain this work style.