ADHD - reasonable adjustments?

[Fuzzyduck21]

I've been recently diagnosed as having ADHD and I'm awaiting an autism assessment. I work 5 days a week and fairly recently my company has told us we need to go into the office 2 days a week. I knew this was on the cards and my contract doesn't state any home working, but they were slow to come back into the office after covid (I've only worked there a year). I find this incredibly difficult for a number of reasons. Both of my kids and my husband are ND. Mornings can be really difficult. Once they're at school, I feel exhausted. It is one thing then going to work at home in my own safe space vs having to go to an office full of people and mask for the whole time. It is something I dread every single week and it is really affecting me.

I work city centre and never know one day to the next whether car park A will have space or whether I will have to go to car park B. I can't just go to car park B first as it is hugely more expensive. I can't use any other form of transport to get there. I find the uncertainty hard to handle. I also find hot desking difficult, but there is an easy fix as I can just request a fixed desk I think. Once there, I find the social side of things really hard. Being 'work me' is exhausting. Appearing interested in people and what they have to say etc. Using the kitchen and toilets are difficult. I don't like getting up from my desk as I feel like everyone is watching me - I know they aren't but that is the feeling. I try to be rational about it but I am so self conscious. I find the toilets are horrible and can't bring myself to sit on the seats. There are just so many things that overwhelm me. I thankfully only work part time (over 5 days) but my boss is asking me to come up with an idea of what hours I want to do, if I don't feel like I can do my current hours. It isn't my hours that are the problem, its coming in twice a week. I could manage once a week but twice is just too much right now. I'm open to looking for a different, fully remote role, but I don't really understand my rights in this situation as I believe I am classed as having a disability. I'd rather stay at my current company if I can but they are so focussed on coming in twice a week that I can't imagine they will drop it. Would a GP note help? I don't know if occupational health will be supportive as surely they will back the company. Just looking for a little advice please.

@CantHoldMeDown may be a reasonable adjustment if OH deem fit which is why I said OP could get this approved if she goes down the correct channels.

I will say though my chronic illness was probably a bigger factor in my extra wfh day than my ADHD.

Why are you being so pernickety about the wording of my sentence? Of course I meant it's a reasonable adjustment in jobs where that adjustment is possible.

I was almost in the exact same position as OP although we have always been hybrid and they were just increasing our in office days from 2 to 3. After going to OH, I now have reasonable adjustments in place and continue to work 2 days in office... The first OT I met made this very difficult though and actually only granted me temporary reasonable adjustments until I asked to be re-referred. The second OT was absolutely disgusted that the first had told me that she could only give me temporary reasonable adjustments when both of my conditions are permanent. So yes, it's not always guaranteed but it's something that is possible which was my original point.

Yes it is.

I have adhd and have been offered more breaks. I had a breakdown due to elvanse not that long ago. Since being on concerta 54mg i feel amazing no more anxiety no symptoms of racing mind. Just change your meds and crack on with work.

Not all medication works for everyone. Great for you that it helped but you can't speak for everyone.

I'm on 54g on Concerta (or whatever the fuck they decide to describe me because of the med shortages) and I still find the office a really overstimulating place to be. Of course I do "crack on" with work but it is MUCH easier to work from home in quiet. Especially in detail orientated jobs.

54mg* even hahaha

This why you shouldn't trust AI!

It is ultimately only something a tribunal can determine. It depends on whether a physical or mental impairment has a long term and substantial adverse effect on day to day activity.

ACAS: Neurodiversity including ADHD, autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia are forms of neurodivergence – there are others too.

Being neurodivergent will often amount to a disability under the Equality Act 2010, even if the person does not consider themselves to be disabled.

Have you started ADHD meds. The great thing about ADHD is that it is very treatable. I have taken stimulants for more than 20 years, and when I take the medication, as prescribed, I no longer have any significant symptoms of ADHD.

Without the meds (eg when pregnant) is a whole different story.

If you are on meds and still have disabling ADHD symptoms then the dose is probably too low. Adult doses in this country are often the same as the doses prescribed for a child weighing 4 stone. A ten-stone adult needs a higher dose.

Have reported a few posters on this thread. Ignorant, uneducated, disability bashing at its finest.

ADHD is a disability. Under the equality act 2010

You misspelt wankers.

I hear you OP.

I actually realised i found the office a struggle when we had to work from home during Covid. Suddenly I could get everything done in half the time, I could concentrate on reports for 2 or 3 hours solid, I was more efficient, my brain actually worked 10 times better.

I do love going to the office but I can't stop talking, zooming around doing practical things. I get distracted by the constant stream and movement of people, all the exciting projects and events going on. It's just way too busy and I get NOTHING done at work except admin tasks (putting in an invoice or 2 ). If I need to focus on anything proper I need to be at home, in the quiet with no distractions.

So, I save all my little tasks for when I'm in the office, and do the reports and focused stuff at home.
Is it possible for you to split your work that way?

PS. I don't have ADHD

Edited for typos!

This is a very helpful point.

I often go into our office on a Friday ( restricted on days I can go because of DHs dog ). There's generally 3-4 of us in tops whereas it's full on Tuesday- Thursday. It's a pest for me as I actually go in for the company though.

Op get yourself an occupational health assessment. They can advise on what reasonable adjustments might be available. There's no reason why wfh from time might be considered as a reasonable adjustment.

It's a shame the ableists have driven you off your own thread. Why some people can't just keep their gob shut i don't know.

It may be. I flag this to support OP, and ensure people don't misstate the law when talking to their employer. It comes down to whether OP, as an individual in her current context, appears to meet the EA 2010 definition.