The Forums › Forums › The Workplace › Who to Tell? › Have you ever asked for accommodation at work for ADHD? What happened? › Reply To: Have you ever asked for accommodation at work for ADHD? What happened?
Grrr…I was almost done typing my comment when I accidentally logged myself out and lost it.
I have never requested an accommodation. I didn’t know I could until I got fired the last time and started looking to see if there was anything I could do about it.
I do have a friend who has an accommodation for ADHD and Major Depressive Disorder. She works in an office and is allowed to work from home for 2 or 3 days a week when necessary and to leave her office and use her laptop to work in the cafeteria or some other location in the building, which helps her to focus. She is very hyperactive and finds it difficult to sit still in one spot all day.
It is a double edged sword. On the one hand it can help you to be more successful. On the other hand, you have to reveal details about your life that you may not want to. My friend told me that it works better with large companies because they want to avoid the possibility of negative publicity.
My advice to anyone thinking about requesting accommodation is to do it very, very carefully. Make sure it is all very formal and legal, dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s. And then be sure to keep detailed records of everything that happens in your work place after that. Any comments made by supervisors or coworkers, any change in attitude towards you, change in your hours or the type of work and responsibilities you are given. Make note of your job performance (punctuality, productivity, etc.) and that of your coworkers, for comparison. And address any issues that arise immediately, professionally and preferably with witnesses if possible.
And remember, your employer does not have to give a reason for dismissing you. If they decide to get rid of you they can do it, any time and any way they choose. It sucks but that’s the way it is.
REPORT ABUSE