Let me start off by saying Hi and how glad I am to have found this place.

My story:
For the past 9 months I have been at a new job, I made a career change to something I thought would take me to my retirement. I will just say that it is very detail oriented but I also enjoy the work when I get to do what I was hired to do. Since I have been at this job though I have been having alot of trouble with attention to detail and finishing up projects to the professional level that I am expected to perform. Just over a month ago I was put on probation and told I had 60 days to get my stuff together. During this time I have only had about 2 weeks of actual work to do though due to a planned vacation and other factors of scheduling. I do not schedule my assignments, I am placed on projects and scheduled by those above me. This weekend I took a certification exam and am pretty sure I did not pass it.
The more I have noticed my job being in jeopardy the more my anxiety level has risen. On sunday I was racking my brain trying to figure out where I have been going wrong and decided to do a search on ADD. I am nearly 30 years old and have never realized what was going on but have always known something wasn't right. I have always chalked my inability to be at the top of my game on just not working hard enough, yet so many things that seem to come easily to so many people have been difficult. As I am reading about ADD I realize that everything I read is me. Lack of attention to detail, trouble keeping on task, daydreaming, forgetfulness, trouble paying attention in meetings, communicating, butting in on other peoples conversation, a feeling like you aren't living up to your potential... and on and on. So it's been about 72 hours or so but at this point I am convinced I have ADD and have made an appointment with psychologist that specializes in ADD.
Overall the last 3 days have been a rollercoaster.
On to my job situation, on friday I was pulled off of my current project, and something just wasn't right at the office. When I arrived on monday morning I took what is the closest thing to a direct supervisor in private and told him I am pretty sure I have ADD and I am seeking treatment. After that discussion I was getting the feeling from things he said and his reaction that I may already be out of a job. I spoke with him again after lunch and asked directly off the record if he thought I needed to be looking for a new job and his answer was that might not be a bad idea to cover my rear. He infomed me that he was not the one to make the decision on whether I stay or go. I have a meeting scheduled in 2 days with one of the people who make that decision and quite honestly I am a nervous wreck.
I know I can do this job, and quite frankly I like the job. I like the work we do espicially when I get to work to come up with creative solutions to problems. I am afraid however that I might be too late. It is my understanding that I am somewhat protected by the law on this.

I honestly don't know how to end this post but that is where things stand in my life right now. I am wondering if anyone else out there has been in a similar situation?

I'm sorry that your having problems at work. Employment is a pervasive problem for many of us.

ADD is most certainly protected under the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA makes it illegal to terminate the employment of an employee simply for having a disability. It also requires that employers provide resonable accomodations to help employees succeed in their work environment.

The law is definately no panacea in any regards, though. It only protects those with disabilities from getting fired simply for having a disability. One still can be fired for poor performance. That is why I think it is a bad idea to ever tell an employer of one's ADD (unless seeking accomodations under the ADA) as it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back in an ongoing trend of poor performance. Also, it only protects those formally diagnosed, so it doesn't apply in your case, yet.

Welcome to the forums, by the way. There are many here that know more about the ADA than I do, so search this subforum for more information. We also have a diagnosis section under "General ADD Talk", so feel free to ask questions about being diagnosed there, or just browse around.

I'm sorry that your having problems at work. Employment is a pervasive problem for many of us.

ADD is most certainly protected under the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA makes it illegal to terminate the employment of an employee simply for having a disability. It also requires that employers provide resonable accomodations to help employees succeed in their work environment.

The law is definately no panacea in any regards, though. It only protects those with disabilities from getting fired simply for having a disability. One still can be fired for poor performance. That is why I think it is a bad idea to ever tell an employer of one's ADD (unless seeking accomodations under the ADA) as it could be the straw that breaks the camel's back in an ongoing trend of poor performance. Also, it only protects those formally diagnosed, so it doesn't apply in your case, yet.

Welcome to the forums, by the way. There are many here that know more about the ADA than I do, so search this subforum for more information. We also have a diagnosis section under "General ADD Talk", so feel free to ask questions about being diagnosed there, or just browse around.
I am in just about the exact same situation this poster is in. I am waiting to find out this week if i get "fired." I refuse to get fired and I disagree a "formal diagnosis" is required.

1. since he did tell his employer that he thinks he has add - then if they can confirm it then fire him - they could be simply firing him for having a disability - which is against the ADA law.

2. If a doctor can diagnose you with add be it that you have or have not told your employer this - then that is good enough. Doctors can even explain what issues he has been dealing with and having difficulty wtih because of the ADD.

I am more than happy to explain my situation in more detail but come Monday if they awnt to fire me I will not accept it. I will not sign any papers. I will leave and not accept an offer for resignation. I will tell them that I will be seeking accomidation under the ADA.

I honestly don't know how to end this post but that is where things stand in my life right now. I am wondering if anyone else out there has been in a similar situationI am sure we have all felt that at some stage...If you spend a bit of time searching our forum, I am sure you will find some helpful advice..
good luck..and welcome to the forums. You will find a great deal of info and support here...It's good to have you on board:p

Also, [the ADA] only protects those formally diagnosed, so it doesn't apply in your case, yet.Just curious, what counts as a formal diagnosis? I basically walked into my shrink and said, "My mom thinks I'm ADD" and she prescribed a med. But then, she loved to prescribe meds so I certainly wouldn't expect it to stand up in court.

Not that it matters, i left my last "real job" semi-voluntarily when, after i mentioned that i thought i might be ADD, they basically wrote that up as some vague performance deficiency. So it doesn't matter to me practically, but for future reference i'd like to know what i need to do to establish my legal status.

TIA,

Philip

Why are you taking a vacation when you're on probation, if you don't mind my asking?

Is that a good idea?