Pls help me deal with job discrimination | ADHD Information

Share
Most people act understanding about ADD/ADHD up to a certain point, but if they have to confront it personally in some way- be it work,relationships they turn into instant jerks I noticed.
They don't understand it and they have no influence or control over it so they just don't want to deal with it.
I think alot of it is due to a deep suspicion of ADD. They fear the unknown and it is stigmatized (like a big joke).
Not knowing what to make of it causes discomfort.
worldisround39187.9491898148I don't know if I can help much but I just wanted to let you know that your are not alone.  I am recently diagnosed, computer programmer, US government employee,  and I used to work from home a lot. with my supervisors approval, because I couldn't focus at work with the distractions. 

My ADHD got worse last year.  I think due to menopause and depression when my mother died.  When I told my supervisor I was having problems handling work load and focusing and having anxiety problems, and then subsequently told them that I had gotten a diagnosis of ADHD and I was getting medication as soon as I could see psychiatrist (1 1/2 month wait) everything seemed Ok at first, but then suddenly everything changed and people were frustrated with me and my excuses!
I had my first panic attack in my life ever.  (I had just started medication).

I had never had a bad performance review and my supervisor had not discussed any issues with me (I told her about problems I was having).  As recently as one week before she said she getting good comments about my work!

I wonder if there are any paralells in our stories due to the fact that we both were employed by the US Government and I think there are strict requirements for accomodation of disabilities that they might be afraid of?  I didn't know that ADHD was considered a disability when I told my employer about it. 

I am looking for another job and it is very stressfull.  IntenseADD, as you say is a good way to put it.  I have total confindence in my intelligence, abilities, etc., but I don't have confidence in my ability to interview well or even make it to the interview with clean clothes and make-up on for that matter, with this stress.  In my next position, I will not tell my new employer or anyone who works there about my ADHD unless it becomes absolutely imperative for some reason.

I do think that ADHD is associated with substance abuse, bipolar, bad behavior in general and so when people hear the term ADHD, they intepret is as maniac.  I think education and awareness that ADD and ADHD are simply disorders that cause problems with attention regulation and is highly treatable might help.  It doesn't mean we are going to start bouncing off the walls!
Thanks,  I appreciate this... I'm wondering who else has had problems with previous or current employers who have found out you have ADHD and other medical issues and then get noticeably treated differently, in a very negative way.  Here's what happened to me.  I'd like to know what I can do about it.  I worked for a year for an FAA contractor out of Bethesda, MD.  I was positioned in another state as this employer has facilities nationwide who train ATC people for jobs in airlines.  I worked as an administrative assistant with a heavy load of paperwork that they didn't tell me I was going to be doing when I first took the job.  They left all that stuff out.  Basically, what I was told was something different than what I ended up doing.  Anyway, after about 9 months into the job, they started having me do stuff that I simply could not do.  I ended up having to tell them I have ADHD and another problem that I won't mention here.  From there, I was constantly ignored, berated every time I made a mistake, talked about, and just miserable working there.  Finally, I complained to higher authorities in the company and was intensely reprimanded by the program director who lmade a verbal threat toward me and threatened to cut my hours, which they did.  Then another problem happened that wasn't even associated with my work, to which one of my supervisors blamed me for and wrote up a huge lie in my personnel record with false information.  He screamed at me on the phone when I asked why he was lying.  I kept my cool the whole time.  He then, purposely lied again, and wrote in my record that I was the one yelling and that was impossible that day because I showed up for work with a very sore throat and couldnt talk much.  I couldn't have yelled at anyone if I'd wanted to.

I eventually quit, but I'm still angry about it and want to stop them from ever doing this to someone else who has ADHD or other disorders. 

Also, I found out while wokring there that the company had numerous complaints and lawsuits against them relating to discrimination in other ways.

Anyone know what can be done about these people?

Thanks,

Hi IntenseADHD:

I feel your pain.  I want to share with you my thoughts and experience.  Because I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until my 40's, I had a whole life of working in the wrong jobs and feeling "what's wrong with me."  My self esteem was always poor and I turned to humor to cover up my ADHD symptoms.  I think I am labeled a rebel in the corporate environment I am in now.   This surely doesn't help ones' career.  Two years ago I was diagnosed and it answered a lot of the whys I had all my life.  The co-workers and managers that know about my ADHD are ok.  They don't particularly understand.  Nor do they really believe in ADHD.  But they did/do listen to me when I talk to them about it.  No one is ever mean to me.  Upper management is less understanding.  They don't go out of their way to understand.  I feel like I don't get treated fairly because of their expectations but however, I also don't want special treatment.  I look at it as my own responsibility to place myself in an environment or work that is suitable for me.  I do tend to work in a lower level because I can't handle a lot of stress and/or complicated mental work.  I can't concentrate.  The day that I find it impossible to come to work is the day I quit.  I am not there yet.  I think this type of prejudice is everywhere.  It seems like you worked with a bunch of "not so nice" people.  If it weren't for ADHD, they would have picked on someone with other issues or disability. (for lack of a better word.)  I am not surprise that there are pending lawsuits against them.

I would get rid of people like that in my life.  There is probably not much you can do with mean people.  People have a lot to learn about adult ADHD in general.  Good luck. 

Hope this helps


ADA Law

Large Blue Triangle Bullet The Americans with Disabilities Act: Questions and Answers

Large Blue Triangle Bullet The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Brief Overview

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Facts About the Americans with Disabilities Act

Large Blue Triangle Bullet The Americans with Disabilities Act, Titles I and V

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Title 29--Labor, Chapter XIV-EEOC, Part 1630--Regulations to implement ADA employment provisions

Large Blue Triangle Bullet ADA Handbook

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Title I Regulations: Employment

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Title II Regulations: Public Services

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Title II Highlights

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Common Questions About Title II of the ADA

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Title III Regulations: Public Accommodations and Services Operated by Private Entities

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Title III Highlights

Large Blue Triangle Bullet Title IV Telecommunications

Supreme Court Rulings Job Accommodation Network consultants often get inquiries asking for information on Supreme Court rulings that address the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The links below provide information on these rulings. This page is merely assimilated as a convenience to our users and does not indicate endorsement or provide interpretation.