Work and ADD
This is a good question and the response may differ across situations. Unfortunately, many people still don’t know much about adult ADD/ADHD. Sometimes these people respond negatively, with preconceived inaccurate assumptions.
Are there modifications you can make on your own to help improve your performance? Try using a day planner, checklists, timers on your watch, reminder beeps on your computers, dry erase boards for writing things down, color coding, breaking up work into smaller, more manageable chunks, clearing clutter, using ear plugs or white noise, taking more frequent breaks, or working with an ADHD coach to help implement simple strategies.
If you have a manager who is informed and understanding, sharing about your ADD may be helpful. This type of supervisor will likely be more amenable to working with you to modify your work environment to ensure success and productivity. Accommodations may even be able to made on an informal basis without disclosing your ADD diagnosis. It may be as simple as discussing with your supervisor ways you tend to function best in the work environment. After all, most supervisors are invested in your success, as well.
Of course, there are those situations where you have tried to implement strategies for success and your supervisor is just not open to making any accommodations for you. You have not been able to perform your job adequately without these necessary accommodations and your performance has suffered. These are the times when disclosing your ADD diagnosis is necessary. Talk with and educate your supervisor about ADD/ADHD. Let your supervisor know how ADD affects your work and how these accommodations will benefit you and the company. Try to resolve these issues in an open and goal-oriented way. Hopefully, your employer will respond in kind.
Unfortunately, there are times when you may be met with the same kind of misperceptions you are currently experiencing. How awful to be perceived as “unmotivated” or “lazy” or “irresponsible,” especially when simple accommodations may make all the difference in your performance.
If you continue to meet resistance and it is clear that your work problems are due to your ADD, your rights are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under this Act, an employer is required to make a reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability as long as these accommodations would not impose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer's business.
Hopefully, you will be able to resolve this issue with your employer in a cooperative and success oriented way.
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