ADHD Disclosure in the Workplace: To Share or Not to Share?

RESOURCES: Websites: American With Disabilities Act Job Accommodation Network Transcript (00:00): Are you wondering whether you should disclose that you have ADHD at work? Whether you’re an employee wondering whether to disclose to your boss or a boss wondering whether to disclose to your employees, there are steps you can take to figure this out. (00:15): You’ve tuned into Scattered Focused, Done Reimagining Productivity with ADHD podcast for ADHD adults like you who want to learn how to adopt the best strategies, tools, and skills to get your essential work done in a way that works with the way your brain is wired. I’m Marla Cummins, and I’m glad you’re joining me today on this journey to reimagining productivity with ADHD so you can get what is important you’ve done without trying to do it like everyone else. The question of whether to disclose or not comes up frequently in my work, whether in a session with a client or via email. (00.55): Usually it’s an employee asking, but sometimes the person asking owns a business and is the boss or manages people and wonders whether it makes sense to tell her employees or direct reports. I’ll cover the employee side first and in more detail, but if you’re the boss, I’ll cover your side in a bit. When it is an employee asking whether to disclose it is because they’re having challenges at work. Makes sense. And in some case are on a PIP, performance improvement plan. (01:28): One person wrote to me, I recently had another substandard performance review at work, and I feel that some of it has to do with my ADHD. I’m trying to decide if I should bring my ADHD diagnosis to the attention of HR. Where I’m struggling with this is how do I explain how my ADHD affects my ability to perform my tasks? (01:51): Well, do you have an article or some other handout that gives a simple list of how ADHD symptoms can negatively affect work skills? Another email I received asked, I would like to know your thoughts on discussing ADD / ADHD with your boss or coworkers and how to do it without making it sound like you’re giving excuses or requesting special treatment if you want or need accommodations to be productive. And my answer always, whether to disclose or not, is the same. It depends. (02:29): When I’m speaking with a client, the first question I always ask is, what do you expect to get from disclosing? Oftentimes the answer is, well, I just want them to know why I’m having challenges. And, if we dig a little deeper, sometimes not always, the underlying hope is that the boss colleagues or HR department will at least be more understanding and, perhaps, even tolerate some of their performance issues. (02:57): First of all, for sure, I have worked with plenty of people who are fortunate enough to work in an open and accepting workplace. So that they feel comfortable disclosing their ADHD to their boss and colleagues. If you work in such a place, that’s great. You have nothing to worry about. But we also know from anecdotal evidence that this is a risky gambit. That is, disclosing is a risky gambit, as the outcome of disclosure is uncertain at best. And the risk of a negative fallout is just too great to leave it to chance. So you want to be careful. (03:35):