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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2011 2:30:45 GMT
Hi When I applied to Uni i had a horrendous experience with occupational health because I declared that I have ADHD and have been on medication for the last 16years.
I am a few months from qualifying and am starting to look for jobs.
I don't want to declare that I have ADHD until I have been given the job. I will be more that happy to tell my employer. I have no issues with people who know me knowing that I have ADHD.
Any advice about this would be appreciated . thanks k
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Post by boo on Nov 16, 2011 7:59:56 GMT
heya my personal opinion is that if you are going to declare at all, it would need to be up front. If an employer gives someone a job without the declaration and then that someone asks for accomodations to be made after starting, I dont think it would go down well (obviously very dependent on the actual employer and how employee friendly they are generally anyway!) I think if you were going to declare "after" and weren't asking for "reasonable adjustments", then that might be different though, so i guess it could be very situational as to whether or not you felt like in the job you were applying for, you would/would not ask for accomodations to be made at any point in the future. like i say, thats just my personal opinion though, and everyone is different. boo x
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Post by seahorse on Nov 16, 2011 10:15:07 GMT
I didn't declare my ME at interview, but I made them aware pretty soon after I started. They have never made accommodations for it, but then I have never asked. I have started doing what I need, like pulling my chair over to the bench to work, or insisting that there's a chair in wash-up for me to use, and the only complaint was that the chair was "in the way" in wash-up, but it has stayed.
However, I'm trying to figure out how to get out of having to work in wash-up. Even with the chair, I am ending up in a lot of pain which painkillers aren't even touching half the time. I'm so exhausted that I can't do anything after work but struggle home and collapse on the sofa. I passed up jobs that were too physical for me, and took this one on the grounds that it was within my capabilities.
I want to explain all this to my manager, but from past experience I know the answer will be that everyone else does it and it's part of my job. So I feel like my only choice is to work in there, but to kinda protest by working at my own pace, taking rests whenever I need to, even if that means stuff is left not done at the end of the week. But I know that's not the mature way of handling it. Or I speak to them, with plan B as going to occy health and saying I can't do that part of the job (prob won't get me far as last time they said that work were under no obligation to do what occy health said. And plan C is to go to my GP and get him to sign me off wash-up/plan D sign off work altogether.
I don't want to sound like a whiney brat but I'm feeling really used at the mo, like they don't care about my wellbeing as long as the work gets done. No-one seemed to care that I was in tears with pain and frustration at one point yesterday...
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Post by mizmog on Nov 16, 2011 11:34:24 GMT
Hi K, I didn't tell my employer until an issue occurred that affected the ADHD - the reason I gave for not telling? that I didn't want any special treatment! it seemed to be fine and they took my few issues on board - I think it did explain a lot to them but also made it clear that I don't see ADHD as a bargaining tool and I think that was appreciated
My doc advised, If they don't ask don't tell - if it doesn't effect ur work then only approach it if you feel it necessary - but I do agree, you would need to find out about the company first as they will differ in their response! Hope that helps SJ x
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Post by Mouse on Nov 16, 2011 13:56:01 GMT
I did declare in the application for my present job that I had a 'disability' but that it had been lifelong, and I'd only become aware of it by chance and diagnosed in the last year (or whatever it was at that point) and I was only mentioning it because the application form required it; not because I wished to declare it or because it would affect my ability to do the job /require any accommodations to carry it out.
They could see from my CV that I was employable. And I didn't specify what my disability was - I can't remember how I worded it but they were welcome to ask further questions if they wished.
I suppose one 'plus' might be that some companies have to, or wish to, be able to prove that they provide equal opportunities in the work place. So having a disability (if you meet the other criteria required) might be deemed an advantage if you felt it was likely the would-be employer wanted to tick all the right boxes and would invite you for interview.
Naturally it doesn't guarantee you get a job but you may get a chance to prove yourself at interview.
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Post by adamv on Nov 16, 2011 19:55:24 GMT
Just declared with my current job, they have asked for permission to contact my doctor. I could loose my job depending on what they say, I wish I told them from the start to be honest as it would be one less stress to worry about.
I am sure I will be fine in my case as I have worked here for 3 years trouble free no warnings nothing. But if you want my advice be frank upfront and tell the truth. If they say "no you cant work here" then they are not worth working for anyway.
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Post by boo on Nov 16, 2011 20:12:41 GMT
adam, did they say why they wanted to contact your doctor? after 3 years with no hiccups..... what made you declare now, did something prompt it just being curious
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Post by adamv on Nov 16, 2011 20:35:10 GMT
well Dont want to hijack this guys thread but here is what the boss sent me after my basic note that just said something like "hi boss, I have ADHD figured I would have to let you know encase it effects my employment" Oh and I told them because if I get fired from something to do with my ADHD (like I have in the past) I can use my diagnoses/disability to help me against them. I have lost jobs before from ADHD one was a cashier job I let some guy walk off without paying as I was to busy checking something out staring into space then got distracted didnt even notice he was still in the shop lol. boss asked why the guy didn't pay I froze and didn't know what to-do (anxiety attack) said the wrong thing and get the sack. If you look on security cameras it looked like I let the guy just walk off and that's what he did. This way if something happens such as I am late, forgot about work, forgot to do something on shift, did something wrong, could not tolerate something. I will have a little more backup from my diagnoses that I can use to support my case. It also means I can get set days to help with my medication. I plan to take medication break 2x a week on set days but my shifts are fully flexible and can be on any-day. By declaring my ADHD she can give me set shifts so I can take my 2x medication rest. Other benefits include having a short break to take my medication and sit down. This is very helpful for me and in a way for them. Its in pictures sorry! I think this is some generic thing with the front page attached to it, I guess your get something similar if you notified your boss. Not to worried about it tbh I am sure all will be fine had 3 years no warnings, no being late and only sick 2days due to swine flu a year back lol. My boss is fairly good on employment law hence why I guess i got some official looking documentation. Anyway enjoy the read it has a little bit about your rights. And yes Original poster, I would highly recommend you tell them they cannot discriminate against you and it can only go in your favour. Good luck on getting a job and all the best.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2011 21:22:39 GMT
Thanks for all the response
The fact that I have ADHD dose not affect my ability to do my job. I have always declared that I have a disability but when applying for Uni to study, the occupational health form asked if i was on medication, that is why I had problems. As was the first person with ADHD(diagnosed) that they had come across. In fact the occy health doctor told me that I will be able to do the course but i will never be employable as a nurse as no employer would employ 2 people to do a job that one can do.
(Just to highlight i had not been on the course at this point so did not have the evidence to prove this. In fact after 3 years I have never had any issues of any kind on placement. And not once has my competency been questioned. In fact I have had really positive feed back from my placements and so have the university.)
I am just worried that i would have the same problem with occy health again
The only reasonable adjustments I have had have been in university for the theroy.
k x
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Post by adamv on Nov 16, 2011 22:17:48 GMT
Well you could use ADHD as a positive when you apply. Tell them you will never sleep on the job, you work well on your own, your impulsive and can make quick decisions, your a risk taker and you can multi-task incredibly well. Just drag it out a bit and explain it puts you at an advantage if they ask of-course leave the negatives out and say "I only display symptoms now, and they are the positive ones and will allow me to be an exceptional employee and give me an advantage." Thats what I would do anyway always think of the positives.
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Post by dizzydumpling on Nov 16, 2011 23:46:12 GMT
Thanks for sharing that letter Adam - gives us some idea of what to expect if considering declaring ourselves. Very helpful!
Good luck with your employer - sounds like you should be fine!
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