To tell, or not tell.
- I chose for many years not to say anything, and I only said something when they were trying to fire me and holding me to a much higher standard than they do anyone else. But, really it did no good. They still hold me to a higher standard. They didn't fire me, as they didn't have the "just cause” to do so, and they don't use the rule unless it helps the managers get their agenda to happen. With my supervisors, it matters not if things are right or wrong, just their wants is all that matters. And no one cares if I am or am not A.D.D. as they really won't listen to what it is, or how it affects me and the ways I see life. So, I guess it's up to the individual and the reason you have if you choose to say anything.
- —wgnburnr
What about the co-worker?
- Yes, the employee with ADD has to compensate for their difficulties, because otherwise there is resentment from the co-workers who are forced to pick up the slack. My co-worker never seems to be in her seat, and I get the brunt of the unfinished work...she also gets upset when she is given more than she feels she can handle and vents her frustration loudly. So I tend to be given more than my share just because no one wants to 'hear it' from her. It feels unfair and most of the other employees feel this worker is favored by our boss who does know about her ADD and allows things to slide because of it. While I sympathize and feel it is good she's got an understanding boss, the rest of us feel taken advantage of. Our boss will not admit to any favoritism on her part.
- —Guest Tova
Still Thinking About It!!
- I was just recently diagnosed this year and have had a hard time dealing with the "label", it has been difficult because I have been "let go" from jobs where I was the most hard working there!! By that I mean I would always keep myself busy, look for things to do, etc. I have a concern with confidentiality as the upper management are "friendly" with my co-workers outside of work, so I am very cautious, any advice?
- —Guest elizabeth
Lots of Good Reasons to Tell!
- I took a little while to think about it, and I came to the conclusion that it was absolutely necessary for me to inform my employer. There was more than one reason for this also. First, I am taking Ritalin and have some in my desk drawer. That would show as an amphetamine in a drug test so it's best that it be disclosed BEFORE someone decides to test. Second, some folks that sit near me have horribly distracting habits. One will chew on ice cubes all day for instance. I work in a field that requires heavy concentration at times and I can’t always do it with the co-workers I have. My employer however knows of my issue, and appreciates my talents. This gives me some wiggle room when I tick off the ice muncher or the ring tone jockey at the next desks.
- —Guest RB
What is My Motivation for Telling?
- I am asking myself, in taking a second look, WHY would I want to disclose, or not disclose. What questions would I ask myself, if I were hiring me? What would I want to know, or be comfortable with hearing, from a complete stranger? What do I hope to gain? Is it USEFUL to EVERYONE, if I share this information? WHO, if I disclose, will likely bring the greatest benefit to myself and others? If I “educate" someone about my condition, is that so they can better know me? Is it so that they can cut me some slack with expectations (I personally don't think I should be looking for getting people to cut me slack, but others may be different). Am I seeking to gain attention and respect? Am I seeking to protect others' jobs by providing clarity about the reason for any perceived changes in productivity in my department? How will I feel, if I am profoundly rejected, by someone whom I thought I could depend upon for support? How will others feel, if I disclose? What response do I want?
- —DisciplineAndHonor
Everyone's Needs Matter!
- A brief comment to try to help people NOT TO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND: Telling, or invoking ADA -- is forcing somebody to help you and it is counterproductive. Trying to force them to understand you is manipulative. If you want to educate about your condition (I have ADD, TOO), okay. Maybe it will help more than it hurts. But making too much out of your condition separates you from others, rather than creating a good team. Go out of your way to serve and love the people you work with, and they won't mind helping you, ONCE IN A WHILE. It might even breed friendliness. You and I are children of God, EVERY ONE. Every one of us needs to treat ourselves and our co-workers as if we all matter. It is okay to need more help than others, sometimes. But it can end up becoming selfish, if we don't allow others to have their needs met. The best advocacy I have ever heard of is to advocate for the needs of your co-workers, as much as you advocate for your own. Love thy neighbor, as thyself.
- —DisciplineAndHonor
DON'T TELL -- STRIVE to Master Your ADD
- I have been working for 31 years. In that time, I have had 49 Jobs/Contracts. I have been fired from TWELVE of them. Since I was diagnosed 15 years ago, I have experimented with telling/not telling employers/co-workers/clients, and my experience has been, because ADD/ADHD interferes with the successful application of work skills, most employers, all clients, and all co-workers seem to decide: a. I won't ever be able to do my job OR b. if they can put up with me, they will be so FRUSTRATED with me, that they have to ask themselves whether hiring me/keeping me on, is worth the stress. The ugly truth for all us ADD sufferers is: only our VERY BEST EFFORTS will meet a basic acceptable standard in most work environments. If we fall short in our self-mastery, we will fall below production quotas/professionalism expectations/interpersonal communication/organization.... in short, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE NOT TO MAKE LIFE A LIVING HELL, for our co-workers and employers, our clients, and US.
- —DisciplineAndHonor
Not in a Competitive Field
- I had discussed this with my boss when I was in an entry level position. When I was up for management less than a year later, she had spread this information throughout the company and with outside vendors in what I would assume as an effort to stay ahead of the field. I made management but no one ever looked at me as the wonder child anymore. A year later... I was fired without cause by the woman who spread the information around the company.
- —Guest Jaime Jo
Tell - Honesty is Always Best Policy!
- To be honest I always tell the truth when I’m asked why my attention is not very good. I’m not ashamed of the way I am as there are bigger things going on in the world. If an employer can’t see that then I wouldn’t want to be working for them anyway, as I’d think their attitude stinks and they have no respect for disabilities...not that I see my A.D.D as a disability!
- —Guest Danny
Don't Forget the Drug Testing Policy
- Please tell me how to keep my disability out of the interview but if hired and a drug test is required...my Adderall will raise a red flag. There is a line of discrimination here if one is honest so the employer can expect a positive result but asking somebody about a disability in an interview is to be avoided. I worked for my employer for 9 years and loved it. They loved my work and used my organizational skills as an example for others. I learned tasks I didn't have to and when more was added to my list, I asked for some accommodations and they said no. My medication was adjusted with no luck and I asked again. No, it's not fair to the other workers. Mind you, my accommodations wouldn't have cost my employer a dime or interrupt their business. Later that year they took my position which matched my college education and my ability, and doubled somebody else's job. I was basically left in the basement; isolated; nobody talked to me, etc. Eventually, I was fired. EEOC is investigating.
- —JSSLKJ
Why Not Tell Them?
- I actually work in the University where I was a student so the people I work closest with know me. My bosses are quite happy with my work. They say I'm just a bit slower that's all. I make a joke of having the attention span of a flea and that goes down well too in a place where differences are mostly tolerated.
- —Guest Glenda
You Shouldn't Tell
- In my opinion you shouldn’t tell about your ADHD, because, especially in a new job, people can think negative things about you. In fact people with ADHD can have some very special and good characteristics, but you have to learn how to use them.
- —Guest ayla
Honesty about ADHD in the Workplace
- The most important thing is to understand what would allow you do the job you have been hired to do. If there is nothing that will cure your problems, move on. If there are reasonable accommodations that will make it possible for you to do the job, teach your managers about ADHD and request the help that you need. If there are things that will make the situation work for both you and the employer, remember that ADHD is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The employer is required to make REASONABLE changes to allow you to do your job (considering the cost of the changes and the size of the company). Following this course of action takes all the secrecy and fear out of the situation for you. It also lets the employer see a more favorable side of you. If the employer will not work with you, you could file charges, but my feeling is that you will only make a bad situation worse. Once again, I suggest you move on if you can’t work under the conditions dictated by that job.
- —Guest Jim_PTK
I Don't Know
- Really, I don't know if it is helpful or not. From one side, it is helpful if people in the work support me and be patient with me when they give orders and give me the time to finish my work. On the other hand, I can't be sure that they will do this - they may treat me as an idiot. They may not understand my weakness in attention and concentration. Really, I don't know what is the response if I'll tell anybody in the work about this. Unfortunately, I can't expect people to behave or respond differently toward me. But really I wish they understood.
- —oscar_83
Get Treatment / Take Responsibility
- You might tell your co-workers about a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD. Remember that your co-workers still need you to do your job.
- —Guest Mark Shipley
What's Going on Here?
- People judge first, then get rid of you OR get to working with you. Give co-workers (roommates, friends etc) the tools they need to help with keeping you around! They can't see your pure soul, your golden character, or your sweet spirit past the clutter, chaos, and disorganization that seems to follow you everywhere. Even if you have a good life system of reminders and schedules you will be overwhelmed at times and need help. Inform your co-workers to plainly tell you when something is bothering them and you will take care of it. Explain a bit about ADD and how you can't see the problems and may need help identifying issues. Soon they will recognize your courageous side as you tackle life at work.
- —Guest hopernch
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