Newbie Question-Career | ADHD Information

 

Have you considered looking for a job with an organization that provides a better fit for your style.

With regard to personal e-mail and web use, many employers are severely limiting that presently. 

If you need to stay with your current employer, have you considered requesting a disability-related accommodation - perhaps to provide the same number of hours of work but to extend your work day so you could also have some designated breaks. 

I thought two, fifteen minute breaks per day were kind of standard for non-exempt employees.  Are you exempt or non-exempt?

Hi everyone. This message board thing is new for me so please bear with me; I'll be quick :)

I am about 35 and recently changed jobs from an employer I was at for several years; left because supervisor suddenly was "under the eye" of higher-ups to perform at superhuman levels, made all of our lives miserable. Every non-work-related email, web page, conversation warranted a reprimand.

I was diagnosed with the full ADHD/anxiety/depression complement as a kid. Had some rough spots but made it through college, grad school, 10 years of work with  only 2 job changes, married for 10 years with a baby now. Bought a house and paid off the cars---not bad for a problem child!

Recent job change was to a place that promised a "change of culture" and "relaxed professionalism." Fast forward to now, I get a weekly reprimand for sending ANY personal emails, ANY personal web use, and ANY "water cooler" chats with other employees. I've tried everything, but I physically can't concentrate on work for 8+ hours a day with no interruption! My boss reads my email and I had to recently VOLUNTEER to give up my web access to avoid the constant "reminders." Believe it or not, this is not an exaggeration, and I've been trying new meds (3 so far), reading books, and trying my hardest but I'm just struggling. Is it unreasonable for my boss to ask for 2 x 4 hr blocks of constant work per day + required overtime? Is it reasonable for me to keep running myself into the ground trying to provide this, until I go nuts (soon), or I actually "get with the program?" I am sooo unhappy and have given up sooo much to try to accomplish this (used to be a health nut, now 25lbs overweight), when is "enough, enough?"

Thanks for any input, criticism is fine. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

 

One other thing (because it happened to me):

The weekly reprimand you wrote of is almost certainly being documented behind your back. 

They may act paternalistic to your face right now but when they decide to fire you, they will be able to use that documentation to fire you "for cause" which means you might be inelligible for unemployment insurance.

Don't believe for a minute, regardless of their statements or behaviors, that they care about you or will be doing what's in your interest. 

Sorry if this sounds cold but I wish someone had told me straight when I was in your shoes rather than telling me the way things "should" be or that I just didn't understand that they were really good people who cared about me, etc. 

In my case, the employer wasn't a villian but the organization and my boss/coworkers did follow the rules of business and their own personal interest, etc.  It's just the way it normally works.

 

The Dog makes a point about disability accomodations as anyone clinically diagnosed with ADHD is protected under the government disabilities act.  Which as far as I know means that you can't be refused employment or fired from a job based on your adhd tendencies.

Maybe if you did some searching you could find the document and send it as an email to your boss!  Lol..  that may get him off your back at least.

Ironically, I'm in HR, but before I could respond I found that others had stepped right up with many of the same advice, (and good advice), that I would.

I'm afraid that allowing the personal e-mail/internet time is something you'll never get around.  I don't know what you do for a living, but unless one is in an assembly line or high security role (just thinking out loud for examples) where leaving your post can't be done, it would seem that taking intermittent breaks from your desk would not only be reasonable but commonplace.  EVERYONE needs to break things up during the day, even if to just stretch or look out a window.

I'd also question the kind of co. you're working for, and wouldn't spend too much time calling the EEOC or your state's Labor Department unless you see yourself in this job for some time.  They sound a bit on the dictatorial side, and not very employee-friendly.  You're an adult, professional, with grad degree...I don't sense of level of respect that you should be afforded.

Good luck.

[QUOTE=GarbagePailKid]What do you do with your parrot on the beach?!
Sounds like fun!
[/QUOTE]

Me and Tequila have a little place at the beach where we are considered entertainers, but she dosn't do tricks. She is so awesomely tame for an Amazon Parrot, that she has her picture taken with anyone who whats to hold her. We have a sign that tells all about her and one that says" Got camera? We have the Parrot"(most tourists have their own cameras). Others just hold her, she shakes hands, says "hello" for food, hold up one foot and says "bye-bye". She can be trusted with EVERYONE! She loves the attention and NEVER attempted to bite. The tips range anywhere from change emptied out of someones pocket, to .00 a family. For about 4 hrs, we adverage -120.00. Not bad. Oh I could go on and on about my "baby", so I had better stop here. Thanks for asking.

WELCOME ONE EYED KING! I know first hand how hard the workplace can be for us. The bordom and the "you can't do this and you can't do that", yet some get away with it. I once had my computer use monitored along with several others. It turned out they were playing games like solitar and stuff. But I went for the big guns! Oh yeah! The internet. I was the only one who had figured out how to log on....he he  he! Next day my he he he went to OH sh*t! New computer with just the basic programs. Performance went downhill....FIRED!

This is just one of my many bad expirences. Lot of jobs, lots of quiting and many times fired. Self employment was something I did from time to time. Most of it was art related and didn't pay very well. After beating my self up, I finally hit on something that I really don't like to do, but I CAN do. My neighbor cleans houses and makes darn good money at it. After 3 months or so, I was recommended by her to clean on a bi-monthy basis to get started. I also work at Clearwater Beach with my 23 yr. old female Amazon Parrot for tips AND also at Costco doing food demos. My long term plans are to clean houses full time and probably still work with Tequila at the beach. Now thats a fun job, but it all depends on the weather.

Sorry for rambling. What I want to say is that I found alot of us ADD/ADHD'ers are self employed. It would be great if one of your probably many interests could make money for you. If not, try to think of something pple need on a regular basis, don't want to do themselves and will always be needed. Think of the money as a motivator, than CHA CHING$$$$$ either you or someone you know may have a suggestion. I now do 2 houses, but now I have references I didn't mean to change the subject, but I had to share that b/c of all my bad 9 to 5 expirences.

GOOD LUCK AND NEVER GIVE UP!

What do you do with your parrot on the beach?!
Sounds like fun!

 

I'd consider calling the EEOC or an attorney in your area to make sure that you are following the required procedures when submitting documenation and making requests for accommodation.  There might be some requirements regarding organization size, etc with those laws.

I'd want to find out if the EEOC will back you up if the company backfires after the documentation is submitted.