Hello everybody,
I am posting this thread because I was just diagonsed with ADHD a little over a month ago. Ever since then, my work life has been slowly unravelling and my work environment is actually getting worse.

It's getting worse because my boss knows about my condiditon and ever since she learned about it, her attidude slowly got more negative and now she takes the stupidest things and yells at me for it. She found that I was keeping a log of what tasks I was working on at work. She asked me why I was doing it, I told her that it was because it helps me rememeber what I am working on in case if I get interupted. She got upset with the answer I gave her. She said that I was supposed to come to her and ask her about it. Then the other boss came in and pulled them aside. I said that I am tired of putting up with the negativatity that has been directed at me and that even though my co-workers and my one boss says that its out of concern, it isn't and it's out of anger and negativity. Doing the journal doesn't interfer with my job and it is just a job log on what I do each day so I don’t forget where I’m at.

My boss then told me that I don’t have a condition and to stop using it as an excuse and that ADHD doesn't exist. Then why am I on medication then? I love how I was being told how I should feel, since I guess everyone are doctors now days. They also act like it's something that I can get over in a day and that it's my fault and how dare I be this way, what a bunch of jokers.

I am not trying to do anything wrong, the purpose of the log is to keep me focused. Explained it to my other boss that it helps me remember but he didn’t really seem to care. One of my co-workers did tell me later that what happened was uncalled for.

I feel that a line was crossed today with my bosses personal insults and attacks on me. Just because I have ADHD, does that mean that now I get to be treated this way by my bosses?

I just need to know of any suggestions on what I can do to help myself deal with my negative work environment, I would love to hear them. Like I said, this is all new to me and regardless of what my bosses say, I am now being singled out and treated differently.

I just need to know what I can do to help me deal with this.

Thanks!

I'm sure someone will have some brill suggestions X...I just hope things settle down at work and work out for you soon..
all the best

Xavier:
Is this the job and work that you really enjoy? If not, what do you enjoy and what are you good at? This may be a revelation for you, an eye opeing event that may lead to better things and a job that takes advantage of your skills.
On the other hand, if this is where you like being, then you need to let your boss know how much you love the work and how your diagonosis is going to help you stay more focused and work better. You might invite your boss out for coffee and discuss the whole thing, try to enlighten her to what ADHD is, that it is a fairly new, but now known to be ligitimate condition.. not a defect, just a differnt type of thinking process, but something that can be delt with.

I wish you all the luck on this. I'm sure others here will have more suggestions and help.

Hello ADD3D,
Talking to them has gotten me into this mess, and my trust in them has been broken beyond repair. That is why she snapped at me this morning and told me that my condition doesn't exist and that I don't have it, she basically yelled and attacked me in front of my co-workers, which was embarrassing to begin with, and when I told her about why I was keeping a log she said that she eventually wants me to stop doing the log. That I found really weird, if it helps me focus and keep on task, why does she want me to stop doing it?

She also said that she was tired of hearing anything about ADHD. Both of my bosses have both told me that they do not believe that there is just a thing as ADHD. After today, they really stepped over a line by attacking me personally and they did it in front of my co-workers. She could have pulled me aside and ask me to explain it to her, but she hasn't and when I have tried to explain myself, neither one of them want to hear it.

They have been slowly making my life difficult since I have told them about it, especially the one boss that I originally told over a month ago. It's just not them, I think they are trying to get everyone to convince me that I am the one with the attitude problems, even though I am the one making adjustments and asking no one else to because I do not want it to be a crutch.

The reason I think is because at one time, they had me doing three full time jobs, which was insane now that I look back on it. About three years ago, they kept pilling on the work for me, giving me more work, while my other co-workers never got any additional tasks or jobs. It got so bad that one of the employees would always ask for my help 3-5 days out of each week, and it was later found that she was emailing her "boyfriend" while I was working really hard helping their department out.

My bosses knew this was happening and never stepped in to prevent that employee from taking advantage of me. When they fired her, they never said that they felt bad about the fact that I was used and taken advantage of, in fact I was handed more jobs and given like a buck raise.

The reason this even happened is because I couldn't stick up for myself because I had yet to find out that I had ADHD and begin treatment. No human is capable or should be capable of doing three full time jobs. We were never meant to take that kind of stress. I think the reason they are getting mad at me is because the medication is not only making me focus on one task at a time and not 3-10 at once like before, but it is making me see other things more clearly and I have been a tiny bit more assertive since I have started treatment.

They can't take advantage of me anymore like they did before and I think that is the real reason for the negative and uncalled for treatment by everyone there. I have not been unreasonable I feel and it doesn't show them in a good light at all, especially after I am taking suggestions to heart and making adjustments here and there to help me keep doing a good job at what I do.

I like what I do, I love being creative. I do not like the nasty-ness and quite frankly, the harassment that I have been getting from my boss. One of my co-workers said that she would have just walked away and that would have been it. I do not give up easily though and my counselor agreed that she went overboard and that it was a big mistake to even tell them. At the time, I thought that it was right and I told them just in case if something did change. I feel like I have been betrayed by them and I will never trust them again or put any faith in what they tell me. They don't want to listen to me and if they were really concerned about my welfare, they would be trying to handle it with more respect towards me and what I am going through. I am never going to bring it up with them now because of all of the personal insults and attacks that I have endured since I told them.

I told them today that I do not feel comfortable talking about it because I am being treated differently and insulted personally. In my mind, they lost their chance today of trying to understand what I am going through and what is the point of telling people who won't listen to you or take what you have seriously and are always telling you how to feel and acting like they have degrees in medicine?

I am through trying and now I go to work everyday wondering what I am going to be yelled at for today. I am looking for other jobs now and hopefully things will improve in my career.<o:p></o:p>

I just need to know of any suggestions on what I can do to help myself deal with my negative work environment, I would love to hear them. Like I said, this is all new to me and regardless of what my bosses say, I am now being singled out and treated differently.
I recommend you keep a detailed daily journal of what happens at work, from one day to the next. add to it every day, maybe in the early evening when you get home. Don't leave it to the end of the week -- recollection can get fuzzy.

Do not under any circumstances keep this journal at work -- they have a tendency to disappear if you do that, and even if they don't disappear they are certain to be read. One possibility might be to write them in the form of e-mails everyday and send them to yourself and e-mail a copy to a trusted friend. In this way you can lay down a paper trail which is created over time, instead of being pulled together after the fact. This will lend a great deal of credibility to your case if you ever end up taking your employer to court for wrongful dismissal.

The comments being made by your supervisor are not acceptable, especially since ADHD has been accepted as a valid diagnosis for a quarter century at least -- longer I think.

You may want to mention your difficulties to your doctor also, better yet write a note detailing your progress and your difficulties and give your doctor copy of that each time you go in.

It's sad but true that when your boss is on your case, you need to spend the time to keep records and documentation in self defense.

I wish that I've been able to do this where I was working before -- we had three nervous breakdowns in our department all caused by the same man.(I wasn't one of them, but I was pretty mad about it anyway.)

I wish at that time I had had access to some of the beautiful electronics that are available now. For my work, I currently have an Olympus Digital voice recorder the size of a small candy bar which has wonderful fidelity and is easily tucked into a shirt pocket or a glasses case or even into a brassiere. [wheee] I paid less than $100 for the one I'm using now.

Whatever steps you take, whatever documentation you gather, keep them concealed. Also conceal the fact that you're even gathering them. Then, if things settle down and start to go smoothly you can tuck them away and forget about them -- but if things suddenly go all to pieces you have them handy for whatever purpose you may need them.

Good Luck,

Ducky
been there, done that, got the T-shirt

Hi Xavier

I don't know what the situation is in the US but in the UK you would have a case for constructive dismissal building here, and the employment tribunals come down on companies doing that like a ton of bricks.....big fines, large compensation payments, nasty publicity.

In the UK the first advice I would give in your situation would be join a union (to get free employment law backup), the second, as hollyduck says, keep a record of what happens. Put your entries on this forum in your journal too.

If the company is large and has an HR department and a defined greivance procedure, use them once the journal shows an obvious trend. Most senior managers in the UK will not condone bullying or harassment in the workplace because of the HUGE fines handed out. Managers indulging or condone such illegal behaviour usually find themselves in the dock and out of a job as its usually termed "gross misconduct".

Do NOT stop using your log or whatever systems keep your work organised.

Basically from what you've said your manager wants to get rid of you...and as I said, in the UK it would be called constructive dismissal and its illegal and carries severe penalties.

kilt

Hello,
Thank you for your suggestion. I know the UK does differ in terms of laws from the U.S. I figured that they are trying to build a reason to fire me and I know it's probally going to happen sooner or later. I have already accepted that and my wife and I have figured that we will be ok finacially if it does happen.

Them trying to build a case to fire me is very wrong and I think what they are doing breaks a law or two. As they have become more negative towards me, I started keeping the log of both what time I start a task and when I finish it. I am doing my job, I am not goofing off and I didn't take a lunch yesterday because I was so busy, but my boss made the comment yesterday that they don't think I am working, even though my office is right next to theirs.

I pointed that out to them yesterday and that is when one of them stormed out and went home. It's just sad because I trusted them up to this point, they have treated me well the last four years because I never complain and I do my job, and I thought that they would at least be a little understanding, but what they are doing in my mind has betrayed my trust and I will never trust them again.

I am a very strong person and they are the kind of folks who like pushing people around and bullying them. I won't stoop down to their level, but like yesterday, if they go over the line and make personal insults, I will have no problems telling them that they have. They say they are concerned but when they insult me, they prove my point that they are treating me differently than everyone else.

Regardless to what they believe or what they are up to, which is probally to get rid of me, I am going to keep the logs going. I just can't believe that they think I needed their permission. They aren't my parents lol! I think I know what is best for me.

Thank you everyone so far for your suggestions, keep em coming:0

Xavier: Please stay in touch and let us know what happens.. lots of good suggestions from others here. I hope it all works out for you.

If you're willing to share, what kind of work do you do? That may help get more targetted answers

I have used strategies/ documentation like hollyduck suggest with excellent results. This ended not only the harassments but the position of the one doing the harassing = the person was no longer a supervisor which back off her friends = my peers like you wouldn't believe.

I tried to tell them before the whole ordeal began - I do not like playing head games which should NOT be confused with being incapable.

I begin the allying myself with those in positions above hers and I ended with documentation which included dates times, individuals involved, exact words and witnesses to various incidents. We have the protection of the American with disabilities act the challenge is proving you were discriminated against due to your disability which documentation can do. I did not even have to go to the government entities all I had to have was the capability of doing so with a good case and the supervisor was outta my hair.

One of these people is a woman? Talk to her until she follows you close to the ladies restroom.

Hoot like an owl, and I will leap out, drag her into a stall and give her a swirly. :cool:

She certainly deserves it!

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y92/kzrainbow/icon_buddies.gif" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a> Stay strong!

You need to document, document, document!!! This is a harassment case. Keep your documentation on you, not your work computer. If you document at work, put it on a thumb drive and bring it home nightly. Print it out and create 2 binders in chronological order. This way if it comes to filing a formal complaint you have a copy ready for HR/EEO counselor/lawyer.

I can't see the problem of keeping a job log. Wouldn't your boss want you to keep on track? Besides, if your work is getting done in a timely and accurate manner then why is the boss feeling so threatened? (they think you're documenting!)

Not believing in ADHD? If you can work up the courage next time it's thrown in your face, say something like, "I am seeking help for this and it's now off-limits. I'm not using ADHD as an excuse for anything and I don't appreciate it being hurled back at me." Gah! What maroons! This is like saying, "I don't believe in anchovies on a pizza."

Please ensure you're never, ever alone with this person if it's regarding your performance. Find out who your EEO counselors are and have one there with you. Otherwise it's a "He said/She said" situation. Trust me; I've been cornered at work and pushed to the point of yelling at the bully. Luckily I had two witnesses to back me up.

Xavier97x2, would you please tell us a little more about your company? How many people total work there? You mention having two bosses -- do they have managers above them?

ADHD is a covered condition under the Americans with Disabilities Act. I find it hard to believe that our government, which finds every excuse under the sun not to give out benefits, would consider ADHD as a disability if it were not a VERY WELL researched and documented disorder.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) orders that companies make "reasonable accomodation" when an employee with a covered condition asks for it. Allowing you to keep a log is about the most reasonable accomodation I can think of!

Below is my company's notice to employees about what ADA entitles them to:

"Americans With Disabilities Act

If you need an on the job accommodation due to a disability, you may qualify for protection under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

When you make your request known, documentation will be obtained from your attending physician to establish the nature of the disability and the accommodations required.

The Company will determine if the request qualifies under the ADA and if the accommodations appear to address the work related limitations and restrictions caused by the disability.

The Company will work with your Manager to implement the accommodations, if it is determined that these can be reasonably made, and do not impose an undue hardship on the Company.

If you feel you need an on the job accommodation, please speak with your HR Representative. If you do not know who your HR Representative is, refer to the list of HR Representatives (https://mylinc.lfg.com/document.jsp?DOC=HTC/LIN11328.xml).


For more information, see: Diversity/Equal Opportunity/Sexual Harassment Policy (https://mylinc.lfg.com/document.jsp?DOC=KBDOC/LIN11028.xml) "

I'll continue this in another post.

Nightwing

I work in the Corporate Law Dept. of my company, and work for one of our Employment and Labor attorneys, so I am familiar with some of this.

Here is what I would do in your situation:

I would contact my Human Resources Department, ask to meet with a representative, tell them I have ADHD, a condition covered by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and that you have told your managers about your diagnosis. Tell them that you were then subjected to ridicule (being told your condition doesn't exist) and harassment by your boss in front of other people. Tell them what else has been done to you -- about your keeping a work log to aid you in performing your job, and what your manager said about this. Try to be very factual and give as many specifics as you can -- she said XXXX and this person and that person were standing there and heard it. Try to avoid name calling ("she's just a *****!" or generalizing ("they never, never leave me alone.")

YOur Human Resources dept. will take you seriously. Your manager is putting your company in danger of facing at least an EEOC (Equal Employement Opportunity Commission) claim by you, and possibly a law suit. Companies take any chance of losing money VERY seriously.

As someone else said, document everything negative that is said to you or happens to you related to your ADHD. Name of person who said it, dates and times (roughly, morning, afternoon) and other people present are very important to write down.



If you can remember dates and times

All of

Sorry -- cut off, had to go to a meeting.

Someone also mentioned that you may have grounds for a constructive discharge. about.com has a good section on what this is, and how you'd prove it. Check out http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/federal_labor_law/a/constructive.htm.

If you have any questions, I'd be happy to try and find answers for you.

Nightwing

Hello Nightwing,<o:p></o:p>

Thanks for the tips that you have given me, and thanks to everyone else too for all of the advice so far. I have continued keeping the log. I did receive an apology from my boss the next day.<o:p></o:p>

The boss said that they were sorry and that they didn't mean to blow up that way. I told her at first that I couldn't accept that because what happened was not job related, it was a personal insult. Then they said that was fine but they have forgiving me for my one outburst at them and that I should forgive them. I told them that it was different because when I got frustrated, I didn't yell at them nor did I personally attack them like I was attacked. They again said that it was stress that made them lash out and basically they wouldn't have done that to me but there were things bothering them before I affected their mood. I just topped it off and they said that they normally wouldn't get that mad at me. I was then told that if I didn't want to accept the apology that was fine but it was a double standard since I have gotten frustrated at them and raised my voice at my co-workers.<o:p></o:p>

I told her that I understood that she was under a lot of stress but I have been too. She then said that I had to think about the log issue from their point of view. The fact that I was marking the time and what I was doing she said it looked like I was thinking something else. I told her then that it was just for my records so I can see how longs things take me and what I am doing in case if I get interrupted. It really has helped me relearn how to multi-task. It's a new way of thinking for me and I have noticed that my head is not jumping all over the place now like it was before I got treated. I then told her that I understood her position but that she had to understand mine also. This ADHD is all new to me and the medication, Adderall, is making me concentrate on one thing at a time.<o:p></o:p>

She then repeated her position about the logs, she asked what was in them, I told her that it was just short blurbs about what task I was doing at the movement, when I started it, and when I finished it. She really seemed to be so worried about the logs, which I can understand after what was said to me the day before. She also said that if I needed her to look at them, she would and try to help me come up with a better system for multi-tasking than what I had before I started getting treatment. I was really surprised that she said that she wanted to help me and I still don't know what to think about it since I have found out more about her personal views on ADHD.<o:p></o:p>

I found out that her son also has it and he is just starting the first grade. They don't want to get him on drugs, which I can understand because after learning about having to be on them myself, I was very hesitant on even taking them myself. As I get use to it, I can see why it is a great benefit, it is really helping me keep focused and my head clear again. They want their son to learn to adapt to it and learn to live with it. That point of view is fine, and one that I do admire.<o:p></o:p>

But that point of view was the exact same one that my parents had. I had a really bad car accident my 9th grade year, I wasn't driving, but my parents were. I got thrown 50ft out of a mini-van and my ear got chopped off and I suffered a severe concussion. Once I healed, I had a battery of mental tests done on me and I was told I was ok but I had a little bit of ADD showing up. My parents didn't think it was a big deal, because they didn't believe ADD existed. I thought that they knew best and I was in agreement with them, even though a small part of me thought that I should at least follow the recommendations that I go see a doctor for it and also see someone who could help me with my speech, which was fine for the most part, but sometimes it was rushed, scattered, and so fast that I was thinking faster than what my brain wanted to say. I look back on that now and realize that it was ADHD probably even back then. I finished high school, went to college, and then lost a few jobs and now I have been at my current job for 4 years now, as a Web Developer.<o:p></o:p>

My biological father has suffered from mental problems all of his life and I have seen the side affects from him not taking his medicine and then taking them again, basically going off and then back onto them again. He can't really make much sense anymore and can't stand being around people for more than 3-5 minutes before wanting to go home. I look at him now and realize that he also has ADHD on top of whatever else he has wrong, but he was never treated for it and now it's probably too late for him. Power of Attorney now lies with a lawyer that I do trust and have known since I was little but I feel guilty because I can't do anything but watch him slowly break down, which I have done all of my life, since I was 4 yrs old.<o:p></o:p>

I could not disagree with my boss more and I feel sorry for the son because he will end up like how I was, he will get to a point where he will be forced to get treatment because it will not get better for him.<o:p></o:p>

My boss then talked about their background and where they came from and I told her that I haven't had the easiest life but I didn't want to use nor was I using ADHD as a crutch. I want to make it work for me. They told me that is what they wanted to hear and that they will help me in any way they can. I told them that I didn't tell them about the log because I didn't want to burden them with it and that I didn't feel comfortable in coming to them with it because of how they were treating me.<o:p></o:p>

So in a nutshell, things since then have been better for me. I am guessing because they know that I know what rights I have. They are bound determined to heal me but unlike them, I am no longer running from what I have and I am embracing it and not using it as a crutch. I will make it work for me. A part of me though will never trust them again because I feel they betrayed my trust and I told them that trust is very important to me and that it's hard for me to trust people in general unless they are my wife or my family.<o:p></o:p>

I wouldn't mind more suggestions on the situation so keep’ em coming! They are helping me deal with it! Thank you all again!<o:p></o:p>

This is just a thought, but do you think she doesn't want you doing the logs because it is proof you are doing more work than you are suposed to be doing? She's trying to cover her behind? She seems kind of crazy about it. Notice how she was asking how she could see them to "help" you?

That wasn't even a real apology. It sounds like a "we don't want to get sued now that we have thought it over, but you are still looney tunes and need to listen to us normal people" kinda apology.

Do not ever trust them again, period! Don't even talk to them about ADD or how your brain works. I am so sorry you are going through this. Please keep daily logs of what is happening at your home.

Hi Xavier

Kimmy has a good point. sounds like there could be some **** covering going on. Just because they've "apologised" doesn't mean they're not going to try to ease you out, they could just be more subtle about it. If you think thats happening then either you have to wait for them to let their cover slip......or use the time to hunt for a new job.

I find their attitude about the log you keep VERY strange. In most situations this would be regarded as a GOOD thing and be seen to be beneficial to all concerned. you are basically writing a timesheet as you go along..managers should love you. Documenting work like that makes you into a VERY useful and reliable worker. If there is a problem with a client or some regulatory issue you may find them running to you for the information in your log to get them off the hook because I would bet my bottom dollar that the management, who SHOULD all keep work diaries are not doing so.

I REALLY REALLY wish I could do what you do...so many times I have been hauled into a managers office for NOT keeping my timesheet up to date or not having a record that I phoned someone back etc

However the fact that the manager has a son diagnosed with ADHD puts a different slant on it. It may be that a raw nerve was touched initially but now she is a little interested in how you manage. If you explain how you run your workflow, that it works for you and that someone else imposing alterations to it may well mess it up then she should take that on board. I would gently resist attempts to either look in your log or change the way you keep it. It is not an official document, if they try to make it one than that must apply to everyone in the firm.

You will find that virtually all high flying executives and governmental officials do what you do and in fact many have 2 logs, the official one, often kept by the PA recording meetings, phonecalls etc and the private one recording the same but adding personal opinion and comment. These guys keep these documents because they regard them as essential to being organised and able to keep on top of a complex multi-tasking environment. The private one is most definately private.

I would put it to her that if you suffer discrimination for simply being diagnosed as an adult and actually have good coping strategies in place, what hope is there for her son when he is in the same situation as you?

kilted

Hello everyone,
I am just posting an update on what is happening with me and my career as of late. My career is in the Web Development field, which in this part of the country is like being a toast repairman.

I am still at my job, after coming very close to quitting. I have been sending out resumes every day and three per day. I have had several interviews, but with no avail. The market in this section of the country is so flooded with not only recent college graduates but experienced workers with 10-15 years of experience who will take a lower paying job just to have one. I am sure some of you know what I am talking about!

I am still at the same company, not only do I like having an income, but because I am not going to give my boss the ratification of using their fears and low-self esteem to force me out. If they want to get rid of me after being a very good and dependable worker for them for 4 years, and actually does their job without having others help him, unlike over 50% of my peers, then they will have to just fire me themselves:)

I have also had my first meeting with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and I will meet my counselor for the first time during the week of January 24th:) I am very excited about the prospect even though I am still in the stage where they are trying to determine whether or not I qualify for it. I figure I would at least try to use the resource and if they determine that I don't qualify, then I know that someone who needs it more will benefit from it. I am seriously thinking about changing my field because all of my life I have had a strong desire to help other people. I am the kind of guy who gave a homeless man some money one time and actually walked him to the store to make sure he was going to spend it on food!:) Any suggestions or ideas on careers would be great and appreciated:)

My wife and I had a couple of meetings with a couple therapist, who specializes in ADHD. She has been trained by one of the leaders in the research of ADHD. I have found out that if either the father or the mother has it, which my father did but during the 1960's it was considered "brain damage", then there is a 95% chance that their children will also have it. There is also a chance that they will not get it, but that is more rare than anything, it's almost a certainty that the child will have it. So I was born with it.

I also had a head trauma when I was in high school due to a car accident during a family Sunday drive. She said that made it worse. So those two things coupled with 3 other traumatic events in my life, I have my work cut out for me!

The ADHD counselor is also going to run some tests and have me go through a rapid eye movement treatment that is meant for getting past traumatic events in one’s life. Every time someone experiences some traumatic event, either physical, a loss of a loved one, abuse, or emotional, your body chemistry changes. She said having gone through more than what someone my age normally experiences, I basically have had Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome which is common with people who have served in the military. I have probably had this for quite a while now. Let’s just say that it's not going to be easy but it has to be done for myself and my family.

Other than that, not too much is happening but I feel that I have made some progress on learning how to deal with my ADHD in a positive way and I actually feel better than I did a couple of months ago. I know my job situation is screwed but I feel the steps I am taking are going to change my working life for the better and at a different company:)

I hope you are all doing well and don't be afraid to suggest something or give me advice:) I have taken all of your suggestions to heart!


Xavier97x2<o:p></o:p>

Do not under any circumstances keep this journal at work -- they have a tendency to disappear if you do that, and even if they don't disappear they are certain to be read. One possibility might be to write them in the form of e-mails everyday and send them to yourself and e-mail a copy to a trusted friend. In this way you can lay down a paper trail which is created over time, instead of being pulled together after the fact. This will lend a great deal of credibility to your case if you ever end up taking your employer to court for wrongful dismissal.


Hollyduck is right that you should keep track of things, but DO NOT use emails to do so. Most companies and all government agencies track all activity on their servers, and often they also feature keystroke logging. They can dismiss you for misuse of resources, and in any case they will know everything that you type. I would suggest a pocket memo book that you can keep on your person at all times. What you are facing is called DISCRIMINATION. Unfortunately, the law doesn't always protect us.

Whoops... forgot to read ahead... well if you are a web developer than you already know all that. Sorry.

Thanks for the advice! I just need to find a work environment that truly not only appreciates me but respects me as a person and values my talents and what I can offer them. I know it will happen eventually:)

Hello everybody,
I am posting this thread because I was just diagonsed with ADHD a little over a month ago. Ever since then, my work life has been slowly unravelling and my work environment is actually getting worse.

I just need to know what I can do to help me deal with this.

Thanks!


Welcome to the club.

Do yourself a favor, and move on. You don't need to take the garbage. Get a new job.

Its the best thing to do. Besides, both you and they have no idea what it means, and you could be in a job that doesn't fit.

Get out of there.

As to keeping a journal that is the best thing you can do. When I got laid off from a job I had held and excelled at for 12 years, I attemped to take them to court for harrassment. I had no journal, and was told there would be no case without a journal.

Just get out of there, no matter if they are kissy-kissy or not. Find a job that you can be creative in, and that you like. Churn jobs are hard on us.

was really surprised that she said that she wanted to help me and I still don't know what to think about it since I have found out more about her personal views on ADHD.>>

I found out that her son also has it and he is just starting the first grade. They don't want to get him on drugs, which I can understand because after learning about having to be on them myself, I was very hesitant on even taking them myself. As I get use to it, I can see why it is a great benefit, it is really helping me keep focused and my head clear again. They want their son to learn to adapt to it and learn to live with it. That point of view is fine, and one that I do admire.>>



This is all fine and good however what her son has or doesn't has nothing to do with you and your work - her son is a personal issue that does not belong in the work place - any one with a lick of management experience realizes that their emotional reactions to some one's condition is their responsibility to deal with it is not the subordinates job to be an emotional punching bag besides all that emotional energy could be better spent in a more productive manner - like getting the job done in as an efficient manner as possible.

I have done a lot of supervising and I find her behavior very unprofessional.

Yea, I was surprised too when it even happened to me but I have seen others treated in a similar manner but not because of a mental issue.

I am like their best worker and never got into one lick of trouble in the time that I have been there. I am starting the process of getting out of there, I just wish that my wife and I could to it without my income, but in this section of the country, there really isn't a demand for people in my field, and the market is over flooded so you have like 200+ people applying for the same position that you are.

I have a meeting with the BVR office next week and I am hoping that they can either help me get into a more constructive work environment or help me figure out what field I am best suited for. It just sucks when you have had something all of your life and you just find out about it, after you thought you were making the right decisions and planning my career in a field that with ADHD may not be a suitable field now, even though I like what I do.

I have been looking for about 2 years now and have had several interviews but no luck. Most of those interviews were done before I knew I had ADHD. I have been applying even after I learned I have it and I just keep hoping that someone will actually let me at least get my foot in the door enough for an interview. I guess you just have to keep tryingJ

Thanks for the advice, it does help me put things into context and it's good to get other people's opinions:)<o:p></o:p>

Hey I was unable to read all the post. But i will add when i was 22 I worked at the GAP in fashion valley San Diego. I was not a bad worker but I was a confused worker the clothing line changed so much i couldnt keep up. When a new manager came from a different store she started riding my ***. Which I was fast but i wasnt the most efficiant. She started calling me dumb and stupid behind my back. Which I will tell you i am neither :) but she was basically a real B****. One time she got on the General Manager saying I was out of control when I didnt fold something the way she described. THen it became a 2 hour grill session. I told them I had ADD. The GM said well we are going to have to cut your hours down to just 20 so you can deal with the work. I was like 20 hours! because I guess it was better then firing me. But the real deal was. This lady didnt like me and complained about me for anything she could especially because I told her she was rude to her coworkers and thats why nobody likes being around her. LOL She complained nobody likes her and one day i just told her. She would run around the store clapping her hands and yelling come on pick up the pace people even though we were hauling ***. She would never say good job... nice hustle... its was more like ok get outta here your running up the clock. But I remember that and then she would make fun of my ADD behind my back. I think back I wonder if it was illegal capping someones hours because of ADD. I was a good employee too. Oh well GAP was a loser job anyways......

Well, I have been away for a little bit but a lot has happened. I applied for my state's BVR (Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation) to try to get into a field that is more suitable for me. I met with my counselor and told her my story. Well, to cut to the chase, she didn't trust my doctor's diagnosis and sent me to a neurophysiologist for more testing. Well, I got the test results back and it turns out that I do not have ADHD at all, which is the good news.
The bad news is that it is more serious than ADHD. I was in a very bad auto accident back in 1994, which almost killed me. I wasn't the one driving, my parents were and we were hit on the side of the car by someone running a stop sign. I was thrown out of the mini-van 50ft and suffered a concussion and my ear was ripped off. I don't remember anything about the accident but I was knocked out and when I came to, I wasn't in my normal state of mind, according to my parents.
My ear was reattached and it is fine as is my hearing, but it turns out that the test the neurophysiologist gave me over a week ago found that I suffered brain damage as a result of the head injury. I have yet to get the full results but a couple of them I do know. It is affecting my memory and my ability to retain things like where I put things or what I read and try to memorize. It is also causing my moods to mimic the signs of ADHD and I am suffering major depression.
They aren't sure whether it will go away once I get out of my work situation or if it will be chronic but I know I have felt depressed before in my life so I am thinking it could be chronic, I really hope it isn't. It is also the reason why sometimes I have slurred speech. Like I said, I get the final results and recommendations on Friday morning. They said that I did test fine in most areas so that is encouraging.
They said that it will and probably is affecting my career. Even though the injury was years ago, as the brain matures and changes, it's possible that the effects won't show themselves for years, which is what happened to me. I was pretty much given a clean bill of health back in 1994 but something changed and made what injury I had show itself and it got worse due to the stress I have been under at work. War vets that have head traumas like mine also go through similar things.
So I wanted to not only update everyone, but I wanted to thank you all for your support and advice. I will post an update soon.<o:p></o:p>
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re: 1
1. If you can, keep a journal (dates, times, names, QUOTES and EVENTS) and try to see an Employment Lawyer.
2. Cut and paste and print what you have written here (Post #1) and add that to your Journal also.

re: 15
Yup, sounds like "constructive dismissal" material for a good labour lawyer. (From what I learned in my own HR classes at business school, anyway.....)

Constructive Dismissal is ILLEGAL. (e.g. you can sue...)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_dismissal

See, employers misunderstand the law.

They think that they can make a workplace so miserable that you will quit, to make them not have to fire you.

However, this sort of continual harassment (i.e. making a workplace so AWFUL that you GO CRAZY or can't stand it and MUST QUIT), is not permitted under law in must jurisdictions.

Obviously these morons don't know jack about Employment Law. ;)

Exactly. There is a law against " creating a hostile work environment ".

Unfortunately, you would have to be able to prove malicious intent, and that's difficult to do.

Well, I am back to update you all on what has ben happening with me. Positive things have happened since I last posted on this thread. First move was that I quit the job that was giving me troubles and pretty much told the boss off. I laid a two weeks notice on their desk with every intention of staying the last two weeks there, but due to their hostile attdude, I told them off and left. They have not reposted my job since and have actually cut my position, which is what I suspected they wanted to do for a while now. That happened the end of Feb. early March. My wife totally supported me in the decision because it was affecting her health too.

I had before that been sending out resumes out left and right, just hoping that I could land another job and not do what I did, but I was forced to quit due to the hostile conditions there. I had started speech therapy during that time, which they gave me grief about, but after 14 years of not having treatment, I wasn't about to let them stop me from getting the treatment that I needed.

I haven't been going since I quit because I lost my health insurance once I resigned my position and my secondary insurance won't cover pre-existing conditions, but all they have been doing is giving me word story problems to solve to get my mind working. They said that it will help keep my mind sharp and it's important due to the areas of the brain that was damaged in the accident. They have also taught me that I need to break stuff down and look at problems differently. Like with projects for jobs, they taught me to list out what it will take in order to complete the project and go through each step to get to the end point. Once my new health insurance kicks in, I will be going to treatments again.

I have also started a new job as a Graphic Designer, which I love so far! Through my state's BVR, they determined through a career assestment that they gave me, that Graphic Design was the best match for me. I now work for a Fortune 500 company:) I am amazed that I was able to get it, but I just went for it and figured that I had nothing to loose. I ended up not even needing the BVR which amazed the BVR! Once my health insurance kicks in, I will resume my speech therapy for my tramatic brain injury (TBI).

I am also taking Lexapro to counter act the depression that the TBI is causing and I am still taking Addrell and will probally have to for the rest of my life, but that is ok with me and I have accepted it.

I have learned and I am learning alot about myself and rediscovering who I am. I have regained a part of myself that was missing since the accident happened and didn't know or realize was gone. I also won't take any bad treatment from my employer ever again. I have chosen not to tell anyone other than my family and my close friends that I have it due to discovering that in our society, mental issues are not taken seriously, which I find tragic because most people figure that since they can't see it, it doesn't exist, which isn't the case at all.

Well, I will keep you all updated as things progress:)