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Ask HN: Is telling my employer I have ADHD and PTSD a bad idea?
28, living in the UK and got diagnosed with ADHD & PTSD a month ago. Is there any reason I should or should not disclose this to my employer?
I've been considering telling them to see if I can structure my work/day differently to make things easier, but am wondering if I'm being naive and if it would be something I would later regret.
Would appreciate any advice or guidance.
- pryelluw 6y agoWait a bit longer. You need to first understand yourself better before telling anyone else.
- soManyTabs 6y agoThat makes sense. I’ve just started with the medication and while everything feels better, it’s still different. Might be beat not to make any big decisions till I’ve got to grips with it all. Thank you!
- pryelluw 6y agoYou are welcome. Best of luck
- adultSwim 6y agoI've often wanted to but never have. Personally, I don't recommend it.
- DanBC 6y agoIn the UK you're protected by the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term affect on your ability to carry out day to day activity. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/6 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/6 Your employer has to make reasonable adjustments. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/20 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/20 The Equality and Human Rights Commission has some advice: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/employment-workplace-adjustments https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/emplo... As does Citizen's Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination/duty-to-make-reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-people/ https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discriminat... The reason you should mention it is because it gives you some protections, but you only get those if you disclose. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/how-can-your-employer-find-out-if-you-are-disabled-person https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/how-c... > Your employer only has to make these changes where they know or could reasonably be expected to know that you are a disabled person and are - or are likely to be - at a substantial disadvantage as a result. This means your employer must do everything they can reasonably be expected to do to find out. The reason not to mention it is because people don't really understand ADHD nor PTSD, so you may face stigma and discrimination. That isn't guaranteed - lots of employers really do want to do the right thing. Unions can usually offer useful advice about disclosing. Good luck!
- soManyTabs 6y agoThank you so much for taking the time to share these resources and thoughts! Yes, I think the thing I was most worried about is that people look at me differently and think I’m not capable, even though nothing has really changed. Will read a bit more about my rights and wait till I’m better adjusted to treatment before making a decision. Thanks again!
- one2know 6y agoYes, telling any employer about any health condition is a very bad idea. Don't listen to the inevitable managers who will post here and on other boards telling you otherwise.