Should I Tell My Employer About My ADD?
Dear Friend,
To tell or not to tell? This is a common question that adults with ADD want the answer to! I'm going to give you my thoughts on this subject in just a moment.
Before I do that, I'd like to take a moment to address the emails and voicemails we've been getting about the upcoming Get Your Career in Gear Webinar. So I thought I’d put together a quick Q&A--and informational video--for those of you who are still deciding whether the webinar is a good fit for you.
Q: Is this event only for people who are unemployed?
A: Not at all! We’ve designed the webinar to benefit people who are looking for work as well as people who are currently employed. You'll learn how to work with your strengths, stand out from the crowd, and manage career-related stress and anxiety.
Q: What is a webinar?
A: It’s actually very simple, and there is no special software to download. When the webinar starts, you'll simply go to a website and enter a key code. A window will pop up on your screen showing the speaker’s slides. It’s as easy as watching TV!
At the same time, you will dial into the session via telephone to hear the speaker’s presentation. Or, if you prefer, you may listen via webcast on your computer. There will also be time for Q&A with each of the speakers.
Q: If I can't make all the sessions on June 17th, will they be recorded?
A: Yes. Even if you can’t attend the sessions live, the MP3 recordings will be available to download, as well as copies of the speakers’ slides.
Q: Will you be holding this event again in the future?
A: We have no plans to hold this event again, so if you’d like to join us, now is the time!
Q: Can you tell me more about the webinar and the speakers?
A: I sure can! Just watch this short video for more info. Click the image, or go directly to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYYVBK4-t94 to view the video.
I hope you found this video and Q&A helpful! If you have any additional questions, just email us at webinar@addmanagement.com and we’ll get back to you promptly.
And now for my thoughts on the question, "Should I tell my employer about my ADD?" This is a complicated question.
While adults with ADD are technically protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, most employers require employees to sign a contract which states that they can be terminated with or without reason. If you were to be terminated because of a disability, it would take an exorbitant amount of time, money, and energy to legally dispute your termination.
My advice on this complicated subject is actually rather simple. Before you disclose your ADD to your employer, communicate the ways in which you work best, and ask for reasonable accommodations that will support you. For example:
If you become easily distracted because your desk is in a high-traffic area, tell your boss or Human Resources rep, "I work best when I have minimal distractions. Would it be possible for me to move to a quieter area?"
This is a small and reasonable accommodation, and asking for it doesn't require you to tell your life's story!
The bottom line is that your employer wants you to be productive and will, in most cases, provide small accommodations that will help you be more effective and efficient. Just remember to communicate "how you work best."
Have a good one!
P.S. The Get Your Career in Gear webinar is less than 3 weeks away!
Reserve your place now at http://www.ADHDcareeringear.com. |
