August 5th, 2008 by Linda Walker
In Part One of this topic I discussed what you need to consider before you even consider mentioning your ADHD status to your employer. In this part, I’ll provide some ideas on how to go about it once you have made the decision to tell your employer.
Before saying anything, you need to answer a few questions for yourself:
- What are my strengths?
We all have them so dig deep
- How is it helping me?
One client told me that she had a lot of energy and her out-of-the box thinking heloped her solve problems more easily. Another who was a salesman found that clients liked to work with him because he always seemed to be “on the ball”. Another who was a social worker felt that she was better able to empathize with her clients
- How is my ADHD hindering me at work?
Difficulty with concentrating, with organizing, excessive perfectionism…
- What is the specific problem I want help with?
Can’t concentrate because of noise or traffic, difficulty getting organized so often looking for things, difficulty with constant distractions of email and phone, can’t seem to organize time well, etc.
- What solutions do I want to propose?
Will this solution help or should you consider a different career? What is the cost to the employer? Where can it be found?
- How can your employer help?
Do you need your employer to help defray the cost of coaching, provide you with an accommodation, change something in the way he or she works with you?
- What’s in it for my employer? Why would your employer help you? What does your company stand to gain from reducing or eliminating your problem?
In most cases of course when your employer provides help, he or she ends up with a more productive employee; however, what is the benefit? Will you be able to get more done? Will you improve your sales? Will the quality of your work improve? It can also be an opportunity to solve a problem, or improve the way the company does things. For example, one client who got help with his productivity, was able to help other colleagues, non-ADHDers, also improve theirs.
Then prepare to meet your employer privately to discuss an issue you need help with. Here’s a sample script to inspire you:
| “I was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, which is a neurological difference that. I find it helps me with my job because ADHD advantage as per question 2. “
“However, I am struggling with specific hinderance as per question 3 and it’s making it hard to be as productive as I think I could be.”
“I looked into it and found this solution as per question 5 that can help me solve the specific problem as per question 4.”
“I feel that with your help with answer to question 6 , I can really answer to question 7 I’m willing to do the work that it takes to make this solution work for me; however, I need help to access it.”
|
It will really help to know your strengths to give you confidence when you see your employer. Be prepared to offer information on the solution you are proposing so that you don’t have to run after him or her a second time.
It might help you know that in the survey I did last year, of the 50% of ADHDers who told their employers they had ADHD and needed help, 50% of them got the help they needed. I’m also finding that with the labor market where there is higher demand than there is supply, especially for specialized labor, many employers are becoming more open to the idea of helping good employees become even better.
Certainly, I will not tell you that there is no risk. While there may be some legal protection in some parts of the world, there is still a risk that you can be treated unfairly. My biggest hope is that one day, the fog around what is ADHD and does it exist will lift; and you won’t have to fear repercussions in “coming out”.
Share This
Category: ADD, ADHD Adult, ADHD Coach, ADHD at Work, Living with ADHD, Managing ADHD, Productivity with ADHD, Uncategorized |
No Comments »
August 1st, 2008 by Linda Walker
Version française
This is a question I come across often in my work with people with adult ADHD. When they ask me how they should tell their employer about their ADHD, I usually ask them to identify what benefits they hope to gain by divulging their ADHD.
In a survey I conducted last year, when asked why these participants with adult ADHD felt the need to tell, most mentioned that they needed accommodations or specialized help like coaching and that without that help they struggled at work. Some also felt it was a last resort as they were having so much difficulty at work, they felt they might be fired.
Those who never mentioned their ADHD status stated their main reasons were that there was no need as they were managing well or that it was a private matter and they didn’t feel their employers had any right to know. About half felt shame or were fearful of being negatively impacted. Unfortunately some of those who did mention it were discriminated against.
When problems arise at work, that seem caused by ADHD, require divulging your ADHD consider the following:
- Could the specific problem and solution be mentioned without talking about ADHD?
- What is the company’s track record around issues like this? Their size? their ability to pay for accommodations?
- What do you estimate is your value to your company? What is the employment rate in your industry? Obviously if you are a rare resource with a good track record, you’re less likely to suffer negatively when asking for help.
- What is YOUR attitude around your ADHD? Many see it as a mental disorder to hide; others realize that there are some positive and negative to having ADHD. If you are in the first category, you’re more likely to convey this sentiment to your boss.
The point is not to hide your ADHD status in shame; however, there is still a lot of misinformation and judgment around ADHD. You may not have the financial means or want to be a martyr. On the other hand when people around you understand and accept differences in others (no matter what they have) as a positive thing, it can be liberating.
I look forward to the day when you can talk about ADHD and people around actually understand the challenges but also ackowledge that you have strengths.
In my next post I’ll provide an answer to how to tell your employer you have ADHD.
Share This
Category: ADD, ADHD Adult, ADHD at Work, Attention Deficit, Living with ADHD |
2 Comments »
