Coping with ADHD in the workplace can be a daunting prospect, especially if you have recently changed jobs or have had a recent diagnosis and are broaching informing your employer. New research has shown that those with ADHD tend to change jobs more frequently and struggle to meet the demands put upon them. It can also get in the way of future promotions and pay raises, which can be disheartening when you think about how much of our lives we spend working.
In this guide, we will look at the specific challenges that individuals face with ADHD in the workplace, tools to help you keep on track and succeed, and also how as an employer, you can make the workplace more inclusive and understanding of the struggles that ADHD employees face.
ADHD Symptoms in the Workplace
ADHD has 3 core symptoms inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Inattention includes difficulties with concentration, working memory, organisation, and planning. Impulsivity includes difficulties with controlling emotions and acting or speaking without thinking, and hyperactivity includes difficulties with restlessness and fidgeting. In the workplace, these symptoms manifest differently for everyone, and to varying degrees, including:
Efficiency - individuals with ADHD often struggle with efficiency; they may also appear to be forgetful and disorganised. Memory and organisational challenges may result in missed appointments, misplaced documents, and an overall struggle to stay organised.
Procrastination and Time Management Challenges - getting distracted and finding time management challenging are common traits of ADHD. Difficulties in time management can lead to procrastination and missed deadlines, affecting both individual and team productivity.
Lateness and Poor Attendance - individuals with ADHD often struggle with a concept known as "time blindness," making it difficult to accurately perceive the passage of time, which can result in unintentional lateness. ADHD can impact executive functions such as planning and organisation, making it challenging to create and adhere to schedules.
Connecting with Colleagues - individuals with ADHD may face unique challenges in social interactions with colleagues and managers, such as having a communication style that is spontaneous and energetic or finding it difficult to pick up on social cues.
Distraction and Inattention - individuals with ADHD may struggle to maintain focus on tasks, leading to frequent distractions and difficulty completing projects.
Impulsivity and Hyperactivity - impulsive behaviour can manifest as acting without thinking, interrupting others during meetings, or making quick decisions without considering long-term consequences.
 Strengths Your ADHD Symptoms Can Bring to the Workplace
There are so many individual strengths those with ADHD can bring to the workplace that often get overlooked, and each is as unique as the individual themselves. They include:
Hyperfocus - while individuals with ADHD may struggle with maintaining attention in certain situations, they can also experience periods of intense focus, known as hyperfocus. Recognising and capitalising on these moments of heightened concentration by assigning tasks that align with their interests and strengths can bring an extremely productive quality to a team.
Intuitive Thinkers - most people with ADHD are overloaded with sensory input, causing issues with their executive functions, however, it is this overload of information that helps those with ADHD pick up on things that neuro-typical people would filter out, leading them to think outside the box.
Creativity and Innovation - employees with ADHD can often generate creative solutions to problems, by their ability to think intuitively. An employer should encourage them to contribute ideas and explore unconventional approaches to tasks to harness this skill.
Adaptability - ADHD fosters adaptability and resilience in individuals. They are often adept at handling change and thriving in dynamic environments, which provide opportunities for growth and challenges that allow them to utilise these skills effectively.
Quick Starters - those with heightened impulsivity can often harness the power of being a quick starter and not procrastinating around the start of a project if it is something that aligns with their interests. Â
Tools to Help You Succeed in the Workplace
As a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, once a patient settles into our practice and becomes comfortable with us, we can start to help with specific areas of their life, and one of the most common areas we get questions in is around work. So, here are our 8 top workplace tips for succeeding with ADHD.
1.    Consider Medication.
Some individuals just diagnosed with ADHD are adamant they donât want to take medication and would prefer to opt for talking and alternative therapies. We would always support what our clients feel most comfortable with but would also suggest medication, especially when itâs your career being affected by your condition. Moving from adolescence to adulthood can be demanding and require much more responsibility, so a long-acting form of medication will help to keep you focused throughout most of your workday.
2.    Speak to Your Company Disability Specialist.
Your HR department should have a dedicated person who helps those with disability in your workplace and this is the person you will provide your ADHD documentation to, should you have disclosed your condition at work. This is the person who will be able to explain the available workplace accommodations and help you get them. They may also be able to offer you access to psychologists, counsellors, and physicians through employee mental health services.
3.    Find a Workplace Coach or Mentor.
Think of this person as someone who can help keep you accountable for the work that you need to complete. It can be a coworker, friend, or supportive supervisor whom you meet with once or twice a day to set goals and review to keep you on track.
4.    Research Planning Tools.
To help keep yourself personally responsible for your work, itâs a good idea to look into planning apps, day planners, smartphone calendars and reminders, email reminders, and anything that helps you keep track of your tasks, goals, deadlines, promises, appointments, and any other time-related important information.
5.    Practice Notetaking.
If you struggle to sustain your attention during meetings, then practise taking notes so that you donât miss any important information or tasks you have been assigned to. Writing things down or typing them on a laptop makes it easier to follow whatâs being said and helps keep you focused.
6.    Learn and Research.
If you are looking to gain a promotion or pay raise, then head to your companyâs information centre, whether thatâs a physical in-office place or online, and complete some further learning on the job. Attend seminars and workshops that are offered, especially if they are held in a different setting than where you currently work because the change of scenery will help you to focus on whatâs being said.
7.    Cultivate Work Allies.
Those with ADHD understand the difficulty of working memory, which can make it hard to learn to read peopleâs feelings, understand social cues, or figure out customs at the workplace, which can result in disapproval from your coworkers but cultivating work allies can make it easier learn something substantial on the job, be it new regulatory codes, new technology, or new software. Find coworkers who have the skills and interests you lack and also ones who will have your back and vice versa. This can make being forgetful of materials, information, or anything you need whilst at work much easier to deal with.
8.    The SQ4R Method.
This method can make it much easier to take in information if you have to do a lot of reading before a big work event, and works by making you review what youâre reading 4 times and helps to shift your brain to focus on different things so as not to lose focus. It works by:
Quickly leafing through the material to gauge an idea of how much needs to be read and how it is broken up.
Draft up some questions that need to be answered from the reading material.
Use the 4 Râs: Read just one paragraph, Recite out loud in a soft voice or whisper what the important points were, wRite this important information down in a notebook, and then Review what you just wrote.
Do this for each paragraph.
 How, as an Employer, You Can Create a Supportive Workplace Environment
There are many ways that as an employer, you can make the workplace more accommodating to those with ADHD and help them to succeed in the workplace, as it benefits not only them but the company too.
Open Communication - employers should encourage open dialogue between employees and their supervisors. Creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their challenges can lead to better support and understanding.
Flexible Work Arrangements - employers could consider flexible work arrangements, such as adjustable schedules or remote work options, to accommodate individual needs.
Task Management Tools - employers could provide access to task management tools and techniques to help individuals organise their workload and prioritise tasks effectively.
Training and Education - conducting training sessions to raise awareness among employees about ADHD can really help. This can reduce stigma and foster a more empathetic workplace culture.
Quiet Spaces - employers may consider designating quiet spaces where employees can retreat when they need a break from stimulation, helping to manage hyperactivity and improve concentration.
Comprehensive ADHD Assessment for Adults
When it comes to ADHD, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, which is why we undertake a comprehensive and personalised approach to ADHD assessment for adults and children. Our experienced mental health specialists will conduct a thorough assessment, helping us to understand you, your life experiences, and how ADHD symptoms may have affected your life.
Beyond Clinics: Private ADHD Clinic in Manchester
As a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, we understand the importance of recognising and addressing ADHD symptoms in the workplace. If you want a deeper understanding of how to manage your ADHD symptoms in the workplace or create an inclusive environment that supports the diverse needs of all employees, then Beyond can help.
We can provide information and resources, or a consultation with our mental health professionals who are dedicated to ADHD awareness and support. We can help you to implement supportive measures and ensure that you contribute to the success and well-being of individuals with ADHD.
Contact Beyond, a private ADHD clinic in Manchester today, to see how we can help you.
