AIBU?
To ask if I should disclose my ADHD to my employer?
LostPropertyBox · 11/09/2022 19:44
I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD and I'm requesting a piece of tech that will hopefully help keep me organised and make my work life easier.
A bit of back story, I basically coasted through the first few years of my job in my company but then I had a second child and the pandemic hit. I couldn't cope anymore and at that time I didn't realise my inability to cope (always late, can't keep up with deadlines, can't prioritise, can't remember details / facts, can't manage my in box) was due to undiagnosed ADHD. I almost lost my job, but managed to transfer into a different role within the company. I've got a new boss who's very supportive and overall my company is quite an inclusive and supportive place to work.
I would like to tell my boss about my adhd in part to justify my tech request (my manager has pretty much already said yes, but it's expensive so there's still a possibility it could be denied). But I'm worried that my adhd could be seen as a negative and used against me. I've just started medication and have finally got once in my life been able to focus and do a full days work and tick lots off my to do list. I have my sights set on a promotion and have already spoken to my manager about some training that will help me move up in my role.
Has anyone either has any experience telling their employer they had adhd (or a similar condition such as ASD) or been on the other end as the employer when someone has disclosed this to them. I'm also not sure exactly how I go about explaining ADHD to them without it making me sound like a totally inept flake.
I'm still worried if this is the right thing to do. Once I tell them I obviously can't take it back. I'm very anxious about it 
x2boys · 11/09/2022 19:53
I think employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments, wether the expensive piece of tech would be considered, reasonable I have no idea but it may help your work life ?
x2boys · 11/09/2022 19:55
Do you have a HR department, maybe have a chat with them if you do?
Testina · 11/09/2022 20:03
Very curious what this piece of tech is!
I think as your manager has approved it already, without the ADHD info, I’d just wait and see.
Dippydonky · 11/09/2022 20:30
Tell them - if they know, they can’t discriminate against you due to a disability and they have a legal responsibility to make reasonable adjustments. If you don’t tell them they likely just won’t know as it’s not a disability people can easily guess (ADHD isn’t as visible as some disabilities). That means you’ll be missing out on legal protection, and they’ll be missing out on all the benefits of knowing…. For example, they could work with you to tap into funding through Access to work, and they could talk to you about your disability to enhance how well you work (if your happy and productive it’s a good thing for them too!)
But also, most good employers will want to know because they’ll want to support you, they’ll value every one of their unique employees.
And speaking as someone who used to manage a lovely brilliant woman who also had some struggles at work, but who has recently told me she’s been diagnosed with ADHD… I wish I had known that 3 years ago when I managed her! She has only just had her diagnosis and when I managed her we both put lots of work into helping her balance her focus. She has done very well in her career but if I’d known then what I know now, we could have explored all the resources ‘out there’ to support her! It would have made both of our jobs easier!
LostPropertyBox · 12/09/2022 19:34
Thank you @Dippydonky that's really helpful.
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