Employment with ADD

[Knighton]

I have been in my job for 12 months and during that time I have made many errors based on poor attention to detail. I've spoken to my doctor about this and to cut a long story short I suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder as an adult. I want to know what will happen if I tell my employer. One one hand I want to tell them so they know why I make these mistakes (the errors are caused by my condition) so we could maybe work towards getting me help. But I'm worried if they could use it as an excuse to get me dismissed. ADD is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act but could they say had they known about my disability when they took me on they would not have offered me the job? The condition is clearly a barrier to me executing my duties correctly so could they get away with it?

[charitynjw]

Re: Employment with ADD

I have been in my job for 12 months and during that time I have made many errors based on poor attention to detail. I've spoken to my doctor about this and to cut a long story short I suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder as an adult. I want to know what will happen if I tell my employer. One one hand I want to tell them so they know why I make these mistakes (the errors are caused by my condition) so we could maybe work towards getting me help. But I'm worried if they could use it as an excuse to get me dismissed. ADD is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act but could they say had they known about my disability when they took me on they would not have offered me the job? The condition is clearly a barrier to me executing my duties correctly so could they get away with it?

This would now be the Equality Act (since October 2010)
There is now a policy of 'positive discrimination', & anyway, if you've only just been diagnosed, how could you possibly tell them at interview stage?
In my opinion, you're well covered, & your employer is duty-bound to look for ways to assist you.

Before you make any decisions, have a nose around on http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

[Caspar]

Re: Employment with ADD

Very good advice given above, and VERY importantly make sure you read a totally up to date version as there are five new codes that came into force under this act only a month ago today! In my opinion the Act gives you adequate protection to be open with your employer. Indeed I would suggest that it would be in your interests to do so as if there was ever a time where redundancies were necessary, your catalogue of attention deficits could currently count against you, whereas if it is recognised as a genuine disability your rights will be strengthened enormously.

[Knighton]

Re: Employment with ADD

Thanks both, much appreciated. I really want to tell my employer as I won't feel so stupid and thick then (ADD sufferers feel this a lot).

Is there anything in it for him? I mean, I know it looks good for companies from a PR perspective to be able to say they're employing someone with a disability but do they get any grants or anything.

There is another aspect to this: I have not yet been 'officially' diagnosed yet but my psychologist believes it to be ADD. The specialist test is a few months away yet.

How does this affect things? I really don't think my boss wants to be awkward: I've been screwing up for a year now and in that time he's displayed the patience of Job but there will always be a limit it.

[charitynjw]

Re: Employment with ADD

Depending on the size of your firm, you could go via your HR dept., who should refer you to Occupational Therapy.
They should also investigate any ways which, within reason (usually cost-based), you could be assisted re your disability.
As for grants, etc., have a trawl through this lot:-
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/a...lity-equality/