ADHD at work: a thoughtful yes
As a passionate advocate for ADHD at work and reducing stigma, I would say yes.
However, let’s think it through first.
ADHD at work: Guidance for discussing accommodations
What do you want to achieve by telling your employer or line manager? Additionally, do you want changes at work to help with your struggles? However, do you seek more understanding when you’ve been turned down for working from home? Also, you want flex-time and similar arrangements? We suggest the following checklist for ADHD at work when you take this to your workplace.
- In the UK, ADHD is deemed a disability according to the Equality Act 2010 if it meets the criteria of “a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.” ADHD isn’t normally diagnosed properly if there isn’t an adverse impact
- As such, revealing to your boss that you have ADHD means that they have a duty to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ to help you to keep working effectively. See the ACAS guidance here…
- YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS TO QUALIFY FOR SUPPORT
- Under employment law legislation in the UK employers have a legal responsibility to look after the health, safety and well-being of staff. Staff also have an obligation to look after their own safety too.
- Consider how to tell your boss. This will depend a lot on your working relationship so think about how it would be easiest for you to raise this which could be putting a meeting in their diary, sending them an email/voice note/message etc.
- Be prepared for meeting your boss/HR rep to discuss this. If you have completed an assessment form share it, also write a list of ways that it holds you back at work and how you think they can help
- Following a meeting with your boss/HR, get in writing any agreed actions so you have an audit trail for future reference and put in regular meetings to check-in on how it’s going
- Consider applying for UK government ‘Access to Work’ support as you may be able to get some support paid for where it is over and beyond what is expected of your employer, more here…
- Perhaps complete a Health Adjustment Passport to aid discussions with line managers and colleagues at work. If you are a manager, consider talking with your staff about how ADHD impacts you and talk together about how to manage it.
Overall, telling your boss about ADHD at work opens opportunities for understanding.
Additionally, you may receive support, recognition, and adjustments to help you continue working.
However, not telling your boss may prevent support, but outcomes depend on how you work.
Furthermore, as an employee, you have legal rights in this area.