so I got the add.org pamphlet printed out, what else do I need? can I turn in the pamphlet and give them my Doctor's info?

I'm not sure if you posted about this in another thread, but why are you giving HR info about your ADD?

Are you requesting help or *crap I can't think of the words*, getting assistance based on your ADD?

because some very hostile coworkers think there is something wrong with me, and are doing everything to sabotage my standing.

Would you be willing to tell us how they are trying to sabotage you, and what you hope talking to HR will accomplish?

I came here tonight to research about self-disclosing at work. I'm considering it too. I'm thinking about it now because I'm feeling better, and want to ask my boss for some help. I considered it several months ago when I was doing badly at work, and a friend pointed out that could backfire. It might have sounded defensive, and caused more problems.

That is just my experience, and I know you need to make your own decision. It's complicated, and not an easy one.

If you are considering telling them to protect yourself, it would be a good idea to check and see if ADD/ADHD is a disorder that is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA) A lot of things are, but I don't know if everything that a psychiatrist diagnoses is covered. Also, it doesn't always mean you are totally safe from everything. It does mean your job should make reasonable accomodation for you, but the definition of "reasonable accomodation" varies from job to job.

Good luck!
Emmie

ADHD is covered under the ADA but disclosing ADHD in the workplace is not a simple black and white thing. Many people don't understand ADHD and it's possible that things could get worse if you disclose it too. I highly recommend speaking to a professional who understands Adult ADHD and Workplace issues before you actually do disclose.

Unless you are needing accommodation I would seriously think this disclosure thing through. I mean there are other ways to resolve interpersonal conflicts between co-workers.

would I be better off saying I have a learning disability?

and I do think I need help. I am constantly running late no matter how hard I try. and the work place gossip is just too much, everyone is always complaining about anything and everything. lots of cloak and dagger stuff. I have a hard time doing my job in such a negative environment. I need silence.

will turning in the ADDA work place brochure be sufficient or do I need to get my Dr.'s letter?:confused:

this is just MY opinion but if you're already having problems with coworkers, disclosing ADHD is going to make your situation worse.

All they'll see is you saying "stop picking on me I have ADHD". I seriously doubt the resolution you're looking for is going to be found.

would I be better off saying I have a learning disability?Quite frankly? I think you would be better off finding another place of employment.

HR might be able to help. In the meantime let HR know all this, and let them know that continued persecution will cause you to feel like you're in an "unsafe workplace" and make you look for another job.

If it's a big place HR can probably help but in a small business it won't.

I work in the K12 Education sector. I don't want to complain. I just want to disclose to dispel speculations. I was thinking maybe bring in my union rep, my supervisor and HR together in a meeting and disclosing. What I'd like to know is if I can just inform them of this condition with the pamphlet or do I need a letter from my doctor?

On the subject of disclosure, I started having problems at work last year when there were some management changes in my department and some of the new managers just didn't "get" me. I went from a solid 14 years with a spotless record and no complaints from anyone, to suddenly being told daily that people complained that I didn't listen, that I had a habit of giving them answers before they finished asking their questions, or that I completely ignored them (and in fact of course I just wasn't aware that they were trying to get my attention because at whatever given time these events happened I had my brain wrapped around nine different things already) or that I dropped small tasks in favor of handling a major crisis that needed immediate attention, only to forget to go back and finish the relatively trivial thing later. The constant negativity (after years of praise and gratitude) got to me I sank into a worse depression than usual and upped my drinking accordingly. Now came the complaints at home that I was drinking too much! I started seeing a psychiatrist last summer about my drinking, he was recommended to me by a friend's mother who's an RN at a drug and alcohol detox at a local hospital's psychiatric ward. I never bought the AA line, I'm not one of those people who views alcoholism as a disease or something that you are powerless against, instead I view it as a symptom of something else and that if the "something else" isn't identified and fixed it will continue to be a problem.

Pretty early on he identified the ADD thing, and right off the bat he wanted me to get papers from HR for him to sign. Instead I went to the managers that were having having issues with me and told them, "listen, I have some problems and I'm working on them, but there isn't going to be any magic panacea that fixes me overnight." I also approached the people who report to me who might have complained about my listening, and I told them that their questions or concerns are important to me, but sometimes I need some understanding from them that if my brain is juggling ten balls and trying not to drop one (like working on a massive spreadsheet, or struggling to meet a deadline) they may need to literally get in my face. Or just wait, if the problem doesn't need immediate attention.

After many sessions with the doctor I've actually come to realize what an enormous benefit the ADD has been to the company (I work in a divisional warehouse for a large cable company.) My frustration and impatience with dull repetitive tasks ("grrrr, this is really stupid, there has to be a better way!") has led me to design more efficient processes that have saved thousands of labor hours and repetitive motion injuries. I've worked with the programmers in our MIS department to come up with better reporting methods that allow us to get instant information that can be sorted, graphed, projected, filtered, and manipulated any way I like. I've become a wizard with Excel and regard it as a friend. I came up with design modifications to industry specific software apps that we convinced (or paid) the vendors to build in to the new versions, and it makes me chuckle to think that people in my industry all across the country are benefiting from my ideas. I designed a shipping program that can let a customer upgrade, swap, or return converters and modems and have it within two days no matter how remote their homes. And to do all of this, I've had to put together seemingly unrelated things, do late night Google research, spend many hours on the phone with vendors and tech support, and yes, go into the occasional trance-like state where no one can get my attention while I'm putting the plans down in Word or Excel, or while I'm thinking about "the big picture." And for me, the big picture has always been to make it easy to make customers happy.

@ martymefurst

I spent 18 years in the military doing many different types of jobs. One job in particular, I was responsible for tracking orders and budgets for travel. The previous person took about an hour to do the job. I had just gotten excel back in the early '90s and after about 2 months of getting my butt chewed out for "being on the computer" all the time, I took the task down from an hour to 11 keystrokes. I saved the battalion about one man-month of work a year just on that task alone. I did this for many different types of tasks. Got a lot of grief during the process. After a couple of position changes, I was actually ordered to go and see if I had ADD. The doc said I did, although I didn't think so at the time. that was 16 years ago. I am only now getting ready to get some testing and meds done before I lose my second marriage...

I find that trying to make things more efficient has ALWAYS been my passion. My dad always told me to "work smarter, not harder."

So begins my journey.

I'm a nurse in an agency that serves adults with developmental disabilities...I think my coworkers here would be more understanding if I were to be open about my ADHD rather than if I were (for example) working at the hospital on a floor with surgical patients. I just take my medication, do my job, and when I had a urine test upon hire, I told HR that I take a "medication that may affect results of my test" however I did not tell what that medication was (Addy)...so I think it's up to you whether you feel you need the accomodations that the A.D.A. offers. I had to get a different job that was naturally more accomodating (flex hours...etc.) to suit my needs...and my coworkers at my old job were horrible to me (before treating the symptoms)...but not here, just a different environment. It's up to you...and I think people should be open about it...but be careful!

will turning in the ADDA work place brochure be sufficient or do I need to get my Dr.'s letter?:confused:

If you decide to disclose, I think you could do either. Depending on your HR department, the letter might be needed as proof you have been diagnosed by a professional. I needed one from my doctor when I wanted a reasonable accomodation so I did not have to shovel snow at my job. (I have back problems.)

You may have another option: to disclose you have a disability without naming it. A doctor could even write a letter stating that you are in treatment for a condition, and leave it at that. I work in an agency that serves adults with chronic mental illness, and we have a very open and respectful workplace. Our HR department offers people the option to note that they have a disability without having to name what it is. Specifics are not required unless someone is requesting special accomodation.

You could also use the union rep and grievance process to claim that there is a hostile and unsafe environment because of the gossip itself, without saying that you ahve a disability. If you have co-workers who are constantly gossiping and causing you grief, that in itself can be called a hostile or unsafe work environment.

I don't mean to argue with your decision, but I am concerned that the disclosure really could backfire. In the sort of environment you describe, it's almost impossible to get folks to stop; they just find a new tactic. If folks are already this mean and gossipy, they could take your disclosure as "proof" that there is "something wrong" with you, and things could escalate. Can you trust your supervisor and administrators to help you with this, or are they part of the gossip chain? Will they take it seriously and help prevent a hostile work environment, or will they ignore the actions of others and refuse to help?

It's a big decision, and I am sure you have been thinking about it for a long time. I hope this helps, and that whatever you do it finds you some measure of peace.

Take care,
Emmie

I have my own issue here.
I have to take off sometimes to go to doctor appointments, however I started to have some issues with some managers for "taking to many sick days off and having way to many doctor appointments". Now, these are my paid days off - I am not taking any days I am not entitled too.
Now, my HR department knows I have a chronic condition-I submited my paperwork for medical reimbursment through them, but I had never disclosed what type of conditions it is and I do not think they know what my medication is for...

Now, I have another appointment on the 16th-I should call a half a day off for, but I am afraid that I am going to get the look. I would show them the appointment slip, but that will show that I am going to a psychiatrist
and raise even more questions.Or I could take a ful l day off (sick), but I would rather avoid doing that -do not get that many.

So, here it is my dilemma: Tell them and get them suspicious about my "mental health", do not tell tham and get them suspicious about my character -like, I make up a medical condition.
Ana

I have heard of people having some leeway in terms of job start time.

e.g. start at 830 instead of 800.

The deal is usually that the person then stays the extra :30 mins in order to make up the time.

For myself, I just psych myself up that I need to be there :30 mins earlier than I do. Then I can pretend (to myself) that I am :15 late, when I am really :15 early.
;)


--

Is this a problem with WAKING UP?

If so, Talk to your Doctor about checking you for a *possible* Sleep Disorder.

What I'd like to know is if I can just inform them of this condition with the pamphlet or do I need a letter from my doctor?

If this is to be an official meeting then a letter from your doctor - the pamphlet can be added for their information however it probably will not suffice as official documentation as to your condition.

For more information What are Reasonable Accommodations? (http://www.bu.edu/cpr/reasaccom/whatareras.html)

Hope all goes well . . . .

I have to take off sometimes to go to doctor appointments, however I started to have some issues with some managers for "taking to many sick days off and having way to many doctor appointments

Taking to many sick days are these planned in advanced?. Many times employers don't have as much of a problem with why you are taking off as much as they do with last minute stuff or call ins .

It has been my experience across a couple of different professions and several places of employment that the more advance notice they are given the more accommodating/understanding they should be. Depending upon what you do last minute notification can be a hardship on your co-workers and supervisors.

When I worked a rotating pattern in health care I was able to plan my appointments for my days off -I alway put in a request for that day off a month in advance any way to make sure any schedule modifications did not place me working over my appointment. Some shift such as the night shift didn't interfer at all but morning appointments were easier on me


When I worked in a doctors office I made my appointments during my afternoon off. Now that I am "the boss" I find it best to give a couple of months notice and provide pleantly of reminders as the day approaches - I live a greater distance requiring me to take off an entire day.

As far as them knowing why you are going to the doctor it is really none of their business unless you need accommodations. . . .Some employers knew I was ADD while others did not however my appointments are only once every three months - and I always did my best to be considerate of their needs and plan in advance accordingly. If there was a away to work around my schedule I did so and if I was able I would do all with in my power to make sure my co-workers subordinates partners ect were impacted as little as possible from my absence.


It may be better for you to plan appointments during morning as opposed to afternoons or maybe Tuesdays are not as busy and Mondays ect

{knock on wood}remembering they are depending upon me to fulfill a certain role and doing all I could to live up to that I have yet to have an employer give me a hard time about my appointments even when I had to take off for me and two kids.My advice is work with them You do not have to disclose why you are seeing a doctor to work with supervisors as to the best possible times to make appointments - in my personal experience most supervisors worth their salt appreciate the consideration and the initiative.

The problem is : I am taking a sick day because I am sick . I could not predict when I am going to get sick.

I probably took 6 days off in the last six months (without a notice). I have not done it in the previous year and a half because I did not need it. But lately, I had a lot on my plate: I got separated, I had to change doctors- my doctor moved out of my area, I had to move...Oh, and I am getting my MBA degree too. I am type I, so all this running around got me sick -I was literaly exhausted.
I do not need accomodations, I need some understanding from my HR. I do imagine now that I might ask to much -I am confused also by the fact that I am coming from Europe and I have, let's say, a different view on how PTO should work.SO, yes, I will continue trying to work with them but I am getting mixed messages from them...

I mean I do not shy off puting in some extra effort. I did came to work with a cough so bad that one of my clients told me that I should of stayed home.

As for doctor appointments, I try to do them when I am off, but it doesn't work that way all the times...

I would get the doctor's letter.

I am coming from Europe and I have, let's say, a different view on how PTO should work.SO, yes, I will continue trying to work with them but I am getting mixed messages from them...

Okay thanks for clarifying - the mixed messages can you explain that in more detail - see I do not know how they view it in Europe but I do know how they view it here and maybe I can help, maybe not but I will never know until I try -

Here it is like they provide sick leave but do not want you to use it that has been my experience any way

The message depends on my manager's mood; this is why she is mixed…Sometimes I try hard to avoid taking a Monday off and I still get a grunt, some other times I ask for a Monday and she is like, ok, you have it…
However she is a lot more lenient towards me that towards other co-workers, and that is another issue. Most of them are young, childless and have no medical issues. So when asking time off for doctor appointments I have priority. And they get upset…
Plus, one of the few others with medical issues had a week off but he has high-blood pressure so nobody made any nasty comments, while if I say that I have medical issues I get an ironic look , like I just made them up...
In Europe you get more PTO, that is all, so you can use your vacantion day in order to actually get some rest. Because my main problem right now is exhaustion, literaly.And when I get so tired I have other problems :nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, migraine headaches, muscle pain....but it so difficult to explain that for me getting so tired equals getting sick.
<O:p></O:p>
This time I managed to work around my schedule- moved my appointment one week later – since the doctor had an early morning, and I will come in late…

Tachyon, I do not understand either of your abbeviations. Please explain to me what HR stands for. Where I live it would mean Human Resources aka Welfare Dept. And what do you mean by the K12 education sector? Does that mean you teach kindergarden or 12th grade? You have me totally lost.

hi
sounds like a very hard place to work in . i dont think saying you have add will help you . you are going through hard times which have nothing directly to do with add / why dont you tell her about that ? share what your going through ....thats somthing the boss can relate to ...add few on earth understand . and take care of yourself to ease the burden ....i had very hard times after breaking up i went to therapy for soupport and meds ..really helped . also found doing as less as i can without getting fired helped and let others kiss your ....believe me poeple without add have issues too , they are not the perfect workers , we just think we are not as good as others .i wounder how they will cope with your situation

I didn't mention it to my last employer (education facility) and everything was fine until a random drugs test forced my hand into providing them with all the information they desired, ultimately resulting in them determining me as 'unsuitable' for the role.

Left that job, got a new one. Decided to be upfront with them and everything seemed to go fine. The company got bought-out by another, and then problems started. Got drugs-tested as part of their takeover, prompting an array of suspicion (even when provided with doctors/psychiatrists cover letters and confirmation of a legitimate prescription) and being told that i was no longer allowed to continue in my current job-role, as i was classified as a 'risk' to have around the machinery.
Needless to say, they whole thing has degenerated into a huge mess, with my union and work battling it out and me stuck in the middle wondering what the heck happened...

I kept it from them, and they objected, and I told them and they objected.

Frustrating.

Not to mention inimical to my character as my work colleagues think i've been suspended for drug misuse. They don't believe when i tell them what happened.

Infuriating. Logic.

IMO - everyone in a professional environment has their own quirks and annoying behavior. People who cannot deal with the brilliant, yet ADHD person on their team are going to have problems with just about anyone.

IMO - everyone in a professional environment has their own quirks and annoying behavior. People who cannot deal with the brilliant, yet ADHD person on their team are going to have problems with just about anyone.That's a keeper. :cool:

Oooooohhhh.... ADHD disclosure. Man, what a can of worms this was for me at my last job. *Cough*

To disclose or not disclose? That is a good question. I would say do not disclose unless you need an workplace accomidation, or you are having problems with behavior, or failing a drug test becasue of your Rx meds. Otherwise you can invite some weird labels by management, and/or conflict with your boss.

At my last job as an engineer, I used the company EAP (psych insurance) to get tested for ADHD when I was suspicious of having it. Sure enough, I am ADHD (hyperactive type). So, I went through a battery of psychotropic drugs to find the one that works for me. During that process I had some weird experiences, especially when I was on Ritalin. I swear, on that stuff, I felt like everyone in the room was speaking another language. I could not remember what they had said at the beginning of the sentence. So I went to my boss and explained the process that I was going through, and he was fine with it. He had a kid with ADD, and understood. He wanted to keep it under the radar, and so we were good.

That worked great for 3 years. I actually got a promotion and stock options for performing great. It was the Dex, really. I could get a good 3-4 days of work done in a week, instead of maybe 2 days before, as I was constantly distracted by employees or phone calls or internet tangents. Then... that manager went to another department and I started working for the director. He was totally biased against ADHD, and thought it was BS. He tore me a new one in my anual review. I went to him and HR, and we had it out. They would not budge, so I explained it to my psychiatrist and he advised that I request special accomodations under the ADA. I drew out the request, but before I submitted it, I went to another manager that I knew and he transferred me into his department, and that resolved the issue. For a while at least, until he left the company.

About a year later I got a new office mate from India. He had the habit of figeting all the time, and screaming into the phone. It drove me nuts. I asked for another officemate, and was declined. So I went to my new manager and asked if I could file a reasonable accomodation request to get an office of my own. He said fine. He did not know what ADD is or was, but he knew how to wrangle the company for what the department needed. So I went to HR, and made the request. They asked me to get a letter from my doctor saying that I was diagnosed with ADD. I did, and he wrote on the back of an Rx pad the medical terms of my diagnosis. That worked... one week after I filed the request, the admin for my department asked me which office I preffered in the other building. I got to choose. So things went OK for a while, until the task I was working on went bad. They kept peeling off the three people I had working under me to do other tasks. I fell behind schedule, and again I was torn a new one by the new manager in another anual review. At that point I was pretty fed up. But I decided that they were afraid to fire me for my behavior becasue I disclosed that I have ADHD, so I refused to sign my review based on the grounds that they were biased against me for my having ADHD beahvior issues, and not my performance.

That worked. Until the company started downsizing. I was caught up in a huge layoff, and even my turned into a jerk boss was laid off, along with his boss, and all the bosses right up to the VP of the division. I am still unemployed 4 years later.

As for some being fired for failing drug tests: I believe that there are specific labor laws that say that an employer cannot fire you for failing a drug test if you have a doctor's RX for the drugs. They can restrict you from operating dangerous machinery though. ADHD is also somewhat marginal on the ADA list, and in California at least, I was told at the time (6 years ago) that there had been no test in court about ADHD being an accepted disability under the ADA. The company I worked for had a strict policy to uphold the ADA guidelines, and they accepted ADHD as a reason for asking for reasonable accomidations. But it seemed to me at the time to be more of a company specific thing, rather than a generally accepted ADA disability. As for management accepting ADHD as even existing, well, many think that ADD is pure BS. Sadly...

Its a tough call to disclose ADHD or not. Sometimes its easy, sometimes it is hard. I have had several responses, as I descibed above. I would not disclose it before getting a job offer however. Only be a reason to not hire you, and if you are not an employee, it is VERY HARD to prove that they are biased aginast hiring you becasue you disclosed the fact that you have been diagnosed with ADHD.

As an aside, at my alst job I was at a large meeting of managers and the VP was laying into us all for slipping schedule. He got up and made a loud staement, pounding the table, "YOU ALL HAVE ADD!" Oh, I was madder than hell that he said that. I was ready to kill... talk about negative derrogotory remarks aginast us that actually did have ADD in the room! Big business for you. Biased, difficult, and complex.