In short
- ADHD can be a disability under the Employment Equality Acts, which protect you from discrimination at work.
- Employers must take appropriate measures, often called reasonable accommodations, unless doing so would be a disproportionate burden.
- Complaints of discrimination usually go to the Workplace Relations Commission within 6 months.
Is ADHD a disability at work?
The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015 use a broad definition of disability, which includes conditions that affect how a person thinks, learns or behaves. ADHD can fall within this definition. This means it is unlawful for an employer to treat you less favourably because of your ADHD, for example in recruitment, pay, promotion, training or dismissal.
Reasonable accommodations
Employers must take appropriate measures to help a person with a disability do their job, unless this would place a disproportionate burden on the employer. For ADHD, helpful changes are often simple and low cost:
- A quieter workspace, or noise cancelling headphones
- Flexible start times, or some remote working
- Written instructions and clear priorities after meetings
- Breaking big projects into smaller deadlines with regular check-ins
- Task management or reminder software
- Regular short breaks
- Extra time for training or assessments
Should I tell my employer?
You do not have to tell your employer that you have ADHD. However, an employer can only be expected to put accommodations in place if they know you need them. Some people share their diagnosis in full. Others simply ask for specific changes. You might find it helpful to:
- Focus on what helps you do your best work
- Bring a short list of practical suggestions
- Ask for any agreed changes in writing
- Ask for a referral to occupational health if your employer has one
Applying for jobs
You can ask for reasonable accommodations during recruitment, such as extra time in tests or questions in writing. Employers should not ask about your health in a way that is used to discriminate against you.
If things go wrong
- Raise the issue informally with your manager or HR, and keep notes
- Use your employer’s grievance procedure
- Get advice from Citizens Information, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission or your trade union
- Make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This should normally be within 6 months of the discrimination. This can be extended to 12 months only in limited cases.
Support for you
Understanding your ADHD is often the first step to working well with it. Therapy and coaching can help with planning and organisation, and a diagnosis can make it easier to ask for the support you need. At ADHD Point, your diagnostic report includes recommendations that may help at work.
This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Sources: Workplace Relations Commission; Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission; Citizens Information, disability and employment.
This guide is general information to help you understand your options. It is not medical, legal or financial advice. Rules and benefits can change, so please check with the organisation concerned. If you are in crisis, call 112 or 999, or contact Samaritans free on 116 123.