Hi, I am new on here, but so happy to read about similar stories...feels like family:)
Anyways, I recently moved and got a new job in retail that I really hate because I am a teacher but cannot teach right now due to my husband being in med. school and we need some type of income even if I can't teach. Today I received a verbal reprimand, which is'nt the biggest deal but I have never gotten in trouble for being late before because I have not worked at a job where you have to clock in.
While I was discussing my tardies and that I forgot to show up to work on sunday (wrote down my schedule wrong) and did not call until late, I just broke down in tears in front of my boss, I could'nt control it and felt so stupid.
I explained that I had ADD and have not been able to get in to see a doc. for meds. and have ran out of my meds. She was very understanding but then said it made sense that a couple of the other assistant managers had complained about having to tell me where to find something several times and having to explain things too many times, and that made me so upset because I am a very dependable and responsible person at heart. I wanted to yell at her to "shove your stupid retail job" But....we need the money.

Anyways....if anyone is still reading this super long post.............I will be surprised!
So, I made an appointment with a psych. here a few weeks ago and he had to cancel the morning of the appt. because of a family emergency and could not reschedule until this coming friday........so I hope and pray I can see him.

I hate my job and all the other asst. managers think I am lazy and irresponsible and telling them I have ADD would do no good I am sure.

I can't wait until I can teach and dont have to clock in and out and can express my own ideas and talent!


Thanks for listening and for having this forum!!!!

Yours truly,
k@ReN

Karen, ask the assistant managers to put instructions / directions in writing so they won't have to repeat them. I hope you are looking for another job while trying to cope with this current situation.

Oh Karen...I am on temp disability right now from management in retail. They had gave me odd looks and alot of under handed statements about how I made lists, heirarchy lists, of my job. I also labeled alot of things so I could remember easily. Retail is HARD no matter who tells you other wise, especially when you come from one career ( I did also ) where you are used to succeeding, know the ropes, know the perameters etc, to being totally new to the feild and the mindset, ADD etc. It has often a less than professional aura and alot of back biting. BUT--by the time I was taken out on disability, they were asking other managers "How come Christal was able to get all this done and you are not" (not that I want them in any trouble, mind you. But in that arena that was the closest to "Hey you did an awesome job' my manager would ever get to saying--lol. My associates how ever let me know how much they miss my style of management). But because I employed my ADD survival tools, I 'got it". At MY pace. I have cried, I have out right broken down on the floor and sobbed uncontrollably and had to hide in the bathroom at times. Try to remember this is a 'for now' situation, it may not be the place for you, but it is for now. A stepping stone in the water until a more viable option comes up. DO NOT BEGIN TO BERATE YOURSELF. It defeats the purpose. When I homeschooled my one very creative and artistic daughter in algebra I did not berate her or ask her why she couldnt remember all this stuff because it was foreign to her and I know this...so do not berate yourself. She got algebra and you will get this too.

Oh and don't stop looking for a better situation :) Lots of hugs to you.

words of comfort...

- I hate starting a new job. It always takes a few weeks or more to settle in. So if anything, it's normal
- I assume you're going back to teaching in September, yes? Hopefully that can help you get through it.

Thank you for the kind words and taking the time to read my story.
I wish I could look for another job, but we will moving to Chicago next month so I can say good bye to retail (never to do it again!!! I would rather do anything) I guess I just feel like it was a slap in the face too because I am a really good teacher and had a perfect review from my principal last year and then I go to a job that requires no degree and carries no responsibilities..that I just unload boxes and arrange things on the shelves and work the register....and I a getting s**t for being a few minutes late? It is like these people have no higher order thinking skills or something.
Ok, I need to stop downing them and just look ahead. The other problem is that we will only be in Chicago for a couple of months and then have to move again. This is why I cannot teach right now because my husband has to work at different hospitals every few months until he is finished with school. So I dont know if I will even get a job there at all, even though we really need the money.
It would be cool to have some sort of online job because Lord knows I can hyper focus and work on a task for hours.........just dont make me start at a certain time!!LOL

I still have not gotten a cancellation call from my doc. for my appointment Friday morning......I think i will have a break down on the phone if he calls to cancel again :)((

Well, Im working toward getting certification for med billing, med transcripting, editing etc. Hopefully will be able to do school instead of going back to the Hole de Hades. Then I can work from home so that even on my bad days physically I can still bring in money and feel productive. Im rootin for you Karen. Hey my kid is headed to Chicago for school in *ack* 20 days :((

Karen.

Just stay positive....I KNOW that's really hard sometimes but it'll get you far!

Selena

words of comfort...

- I hate starting a new job. It always takes a few weeks or more to settle in. So if anything, it's normal
- I assume you're going back to teaching in September, yes? Hopefully that can help you get through it.+1; It's always wierd to start a new job - getting a feel for how your boss/coworkers act and their attitudes on things such as tardiness, etc.

I'm lucky in that my job this summer isn't so much a job that requires you to be there at a certain time as much as it requires that you get the work done. Plus I think they like it that I am the one who is always awake and their 'go to guy' (thank you Adderall!:p) while everyone else is tired and lethargic acting:rolleyes:.

Karen, how about checking out tutoring students wherever you are living?

Imnapl,

I was just thinking the exact same thing! There are also a lot of universities/colleges in the Chicago area who probably hire people to do tutoring/basic skills training and they should be hiring soon.

OR could I suggest working in a book store? Lots of ADD types tend to congregate there!!!

ALSO, Karen, I'm wondering what type of teacher you were? (Just curious b/c I'm starting teaching this year and I'm nervous about how my ADD will affect it -- I'll be teaching special ed. 3-5th grade self-contained classroom).

Thanks in advance!!

I've been in your position for as long as I've had jobs. I haven't broken down but I've wanted to after getting in trouble for forgetting something, being tardy, etc. In my opinion, bosses don't care about an excuse of ADD. They do have a business to run, sure, but it's very frustrating when I can't outright tell them why things happen sometimes. And a lot of people still think ADD is a children's disorder or isn't real at all. :(

It is soooo hilarious when I read these posts that have statements that have come out of my mouth almost verbatim...especially regarding being able to hyperfocus and work circles around co-workers but DO NOT HOLD ME TO AN AM STARTING TIME.

With me its a double-whammy - I can't get anywhere on time and I have the sleeping patterns of a vampire. 8AM is not my friend on any level. I have often posed the philosophical question... What panel of sadists got together and decided 8-5 was a good idea. Our Puritanical ancestors supposedly but I can guarantee you no-one related to me:mad:

So...to make matters worse I got a new supervisor a couple years ago that is the type that I would ask if anal-retentive is hyphenated. We went round the bend til I finally got logic across to him. My brain does not function at 8AM...period...end of story. Seeing that I don't work in a service industry where I need to be present to help customers, they are essentially paying me for at least 1-1.5 hours in the am to contemplate paperclips. So......we worked it out and I can be in anytime between 9-9:30. I know I would be optimal from 12pm-8pm but its a good start. Its later and its a window of time....not a do or die time. Of course the way to make this work is to make sure you then bust your *** to do well and show you are worth any acommodations (by law this is a minor thing to ask for and they should cooperate no matter what....but that's theory. In real life we are gonna need to cajole for a while to make progress) My experience so far has been that a flexible starting schedule has been the easiest negotiating issue - even at my daughters school - without a written and formalized plan.

I have read some articles about ADHDers in the working world. The thing that they stress the most is to make sure to pursue a career that will be ADD friendly. Unfortunately we all get stuck in those "bridge" jobs that suck and we just need to endure - which is torturous but bearable as long as there is an end it sight - especially when we are young (Lord I could tell you some stories about jobs that almost drove me to the edge) The all had one thing in common - lack of challenge and stimulation. They say that many ADHDers thrive at jobs that cause a perpetual adrenaline rush - ER nurses, firemen, EMTs. I had a therapist tell me I should have pursued a career like this before I was even diagnosed with ADHD. But there are other fulfilling careers. I am a programmer and although my daily routine is not fraught with peril...it requires thought and logic and problem solving (the ADHDers specialty) and that has been the ticket for me. I think it is just important that we avoid anything with strict time boundaries or anything repetetive or boring (I am convinced going postal was coined referencing an employee with ADHD - if I had that job....I would run screaming into the night)

So keep your chin up....you sound young but keep going after your goal and it will pay off. Unfortunately we are still in the dark ages of ADHD enlightenment in the general population (I love having to try to convince people that my lateness is unintentional and not obstinance and that the emotion of being bored is almost physically painful to me) cause they don't get it yet. But we are getting there. Unfortunately we can't depend on the world to understand.....we have to become educated and make sure we pursue a lifestyle that is the most conducive to our condition.

I wish you the best of luck.

PS.....Teaching was listed as one of the top ADHD friendly jobs :)

I worked in a retail store once. One night I was closing, counted the money, put it away, did all my after closing chores and went home. Next day, when I came to work, the manager was waiting with a write up on me. Turns out, I put the money in the safe, but left the safe door hanging wide open. Then I forgot to lock the door! :eek:

It's a wonder I was never fired. I was late ALL the time and did lots of dumb stuff. It really is bad news to be late in retail, because odds are that you are supposed to be relieving someone else's shift and they have to wait for you if you are late. I knew that of course, just could never seem to pull it off.

But, at the same time, I knew that store like the back of my hand (a book store) and could tell customers if we had a book in stock or not and, if so, where it was shelved.

Hi Karen,

Holy Mally! I've worked in many different job environments doing a variety of things -- and 95% of the time I end up being my employer's "little sweetheart." They usually compliment me on my dedication & loyalty, my habit of working hard, being friendly & pleasant to work with, and my mature, respectful demeanor. HOWEVER -- there was ONE JOB that I had where my boss was often annoyed with me and one time was actually ENRAGED with me, was SHRIEKING loudly at me with a full-on RED FACE, etc. That was when I worked at a store IN THE MALL!!!

Do NOT allow that horrible experience to play a part in your self-image. In cases of being considered a "poor employee" at a retail job, it's definitely THEM not YOU!!

Finally, Karen, are you familiar with how Temp Agencies work?? You may want to do a little research into the various ones in your current locale. They usually have Temp Agencies for all kinds of work - secretarial comes to mind, and the pay is usually quite good, considering. Plus - GOOD temp agencies will be interested in matching you with a job that's a "good fit" for you. (Just a thought.)

Best wishes,
Sue

That is a great idea to tutor, I applied to sylvan here and they never called me back and I also applied to borders and talked to the manager, I went to a temp. agency too, but they could not find any work for me...
I will try the tutoring thing in Chicago, it would be perfect.

Amiegrace- I was a third grade teacher and loved it, I do plan to go to school for my masters in spec. ed. when I have the chance,

Hi Karen,

I was wondering if you are able to register as a Relief Teacher with the Education Dept or independant schools in the town you will be moving to next. Can you TESOL? (Teach English as a Second Language) What about L&D - learning and development trainer for a training centre. I am a recruitment consultant and am always on the lookout for potential trainers - anyone with an education background can be trained to teach specific packages for a business training centre.

Also, when I first moved to my town, I did sessional tutoring at my local University. I contacted the Head of School of the department I was interested in as well as the individual Lecturers and managed to get some tutoring. I did that for about 2 years. It was great - reinforced my self esteem, brought into contact with new people and I was amongst like minded people.

You'll find some way to use the skills you have the most strength in - don't give up.

Good luck.

Shelley

So, I finally got in to see a Dr. and got my meds! He was so understanding and really explained things to me. I was 5 minutes early to work yesterday and my boss asked if I had seen the dr. ( I guess she could tell) ;)

Hey Karen,

Keep your head up! Retail is a tough gig, alot of attitudes, backstabbing, and generalized low morale. Bah, so what if you were a few minutes late. I had someone pull me aside at an old job for going outside to start my car up and let it idle while it was snowing out, so I wouldn't have to go sit and wait in the cold cleaning it off etc. I simply looked at the guy, and told him that the 2 minutes I just spent going outside to start my car, could have been made up in the time it took you to pull me aside, and start questioning me like the damn gestappo. People just do not "get it" in that respect, it's life, so what if your late, life goes on, get over it!

That petty thinking drives me nuts, and I certainly do not hold back when questioned like that. When I lost my job I had to go down a few to a job that required no degree etc, and it was the same issues that you went through. Keep your head up, look towards the future, and try somehow to take comfort that it's not forever, and you can certainly find other opportunities for your teaching degree. E-learning could be a possibility to write courses for companies like Wadsworth, Brooks Cole, Thomson Publishing etc, through their Blackboard distance learning platform. I've got my fingers crossed for you!