duckster
Member's posted somewhat
Posts: 97
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Post by duckster on Jul 24, 2016 22:05:44 GMT
Hello, I work at a restaurant in a garden centre there is also a smaller cafe within the garden centre which I work in too. Basically I said to my supervisor/ second in charge a few months ago that I have Recently been diagnosed with inattentive adult add and that my memory is affected and I can sometimes find it hard to concentrate. In all honesty I can't remember if I have said I can't go long periods of time without a break (I am sure I have) but not 100% certain. Basically I was working 9-5 today. I had a morning break which was at 10.15-10.30 and it got to half 3 possilby 3.45pm and I still hadn't had my dinner break. I phoned my supervisor and she got a bit arsey saying that I shouldn't be asking for a break etc but to be honest it's hard work being rushed off your feet none stop nevermind it being like that for 5 hours straight. I eventually got my break at 4pm and to be honest I am still p*ssed off by it now that my supervisor basically made out that she done me a favour and was disappointed because i asked for a break. I really don't want to make a song and dance but I am struggling to manage. My ADD is managable that I can work (obviously make mistakes) but I am (touch wood) going to be employed and in work for my life time (until retirement of course). I just feel my employer doesn't accommodate me or try to either. What can I do? I feel like I need help which is hard for me to admit and I don't seem to be getting it. With a diagnosis of ADD does that mean my employer should accommodate me in anyway?
Thanks Duckster
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Post by vagueandrandom on Jul 24, 2016 22:26:30 GMT
Hi duckster For everyone working a shift of more than 6 hours it is a legal requirement to have one continuous break of 20 minutes. As you have told your employer that you have ADHD and you consider it to be a disability, they are required to make reasonable adjustments. You may have to make it clearer to them than you did. . .maybe put it in writing? You are considered to be disabled if you consider yourself to be. . .there is no 'certificate' to show. . They may ask for proof of your dx and you may have to tell them what adjustments you would like and why . . you might have to educate your employer if they don't know how ADHD affects you. ACAS have a lot of easy to read resources online and are helpful on the phone. I hope this helps
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duckster
Member's posted somewhat
Posts: 97
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Post by duckster on Jul 28, 2016 19:48:40 GMT
Thank you for advice and taking the time to reply, Vagueandrandom. I was in work on Tuesday and i spoke to the boss (she is second in charge) after a 10 minute conversation, obviously i can't remember it word for word but i started with the " i do have ADD and i just need a break where I am not thinking about work", but basically she said that i shouldn't complain about breaks and on a Sunday it is usually like that and there are times when people don't get a break. I know the chefs work 8-4.30 without a break or they get a 10 minute break if they are lucky, this has happened on a lot of occasions. She said that customers come first and if I can't manage then I am in the wrong industry. I feel like i should take it further but I am reluctant as I have uni agaain in September and usually work work around me- i appreciate their flexibility. She also said that I get paid for my breaks and fed.. which other staff (in other departments) do not get. She stated that I could get scheduled breaks but its gonna end up going down the route of not being paid on breaks. To be honest her lack of empathy and negligence with regards to her staff totally p*sses me off.
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6impossiblethings
Member's not posted much yet
'There's no use trying,' said Alice. 'One can't believe impossible things.'
Posts: 7
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Post by 6impossiblethings on Jul 29, 2016 12:19:04 GMT
Hi Duckster
I am really sorry to hear you had that experience. Her saying you are 'in the wrong industry' if you can't cope is completely out of order and the kind of thing a manager should never say to their team. It is a) just bad management and an unpleasant thing to say, but b) shows huge ignorance of equal opportunities legislation.
I'd be really tempted to take it further, and speak to her boss or an HR manager?
She just seems like she doesn't really know how to manage people or understand ADHD or employment law!
Don't feel like you need to apologise - the fact is you CAN cope, if you get a quick few minutes break every so often. You're not slacking, but asking for what you need in order to do your job well - this shows that you know yourself, you care about your job and want to do your best at work. You have every right to ask for what you need in order to function well, a few minutes break is nothing! I think the phrase used is 'reasonable adjustments' - i.e. your employer must by law make reasonable adjustments for you to be able to carry out your job, taking into account that you have ADHD which is considered by law a disability. A few minutes to clear your head and refresh your brain every 3 hours or so is a 'reasonable adjustment'. I would do as vagueandrandom suggests and get some expert advice and proof of diagnosis.
Then just go in and talk to her, or her boss or whoever and say what it is you need. Be specific - decide what is the 'reasonable adjustment' you think needs to be made (e.g. a 5 minute break every 2.5 hours or whatever you feel will help) - find the evidence to back it up, and when you're feeling calm ask for a time to sit down and explain the situation to your manager. She probably knows nothing at all about ADD, most people don't. You could suggest you trial that for a few weeks and then review it? The key thing will then be to prove to her that you're not 'slacking' and you can cope. I think the important thing is that you go in knowing your value as an employee, rather than apologising for having this dreadful condition that makes you a scatty liability (speaking from my own experience!).
One of the main reasons I am keen to secure a diagnosis of ADHD is precisely because of issues like this at work - being misunderstood and labelled 'scatty' or 'disorganised' when actually there are things that can easily be put in place to help me function just as well as anyone else, and in fact in many ways my ADHD traits are a bonus.
Anyway I am not a trained employment lawyer of HR person but that is what I would do I think, but do take advice from the experts!
Good luck and don't let it get you down. EVERYONE needs a different kind of support at work no matter what their brain type, experience, age etc! I am sure you are fantastic at your job when you are well supported, ADHD makes for great waitresses because we are good at thinking on our feet!
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