Your Rights with ADHD to Protect Your Career

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) "An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us."

Also, professionals with ADHD are 60% more likely to be let go from a job.

That stat is heartbreaking and scary my friends.

So I wanted to share some thoughts.

Why not learn more about your rights as a way to protect yourself?

Whether it's a job you have now or will in the future.

A strategy left behind

I get it.

Why fight to keep a job that doesn't respect how you process and think?

Why learn your rights if "I'll get told to leave" anyway?

These are things you probably think about.

And sure, you can leave the job but that's not always the easy way out.

Getting to know your rights while maintaining your job you have can help (for many reasons).

And sure, you can leave your job now too but still I think learning the legal components of employment in your country still matters.

This is you arming yourself with the knowledge required to protect yourself in your career.

For example

ADHD is covered under the ADA (The American's with Disabilities Act)- In the United States (where I reside).

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.

And when you're covered federally, it's important you stay in the know because it could save you - and your career.

Be that as it may, it doesn't make me happy to say things like that: "...it could save you," because you shouldn't have to be saved at any job in my honest opinion.

Unfortunately, this is how things are sometimes in the present, and it's still important to learn this stuff to prepare you anyway.

Because with legal rights come certain accommodations in the workplace that can help you.

The Job Accommodation Network does a good job of breaking down ADHD needs in the workplace, for example.

Familiarize yourself with workplace protections and reasonable accommodations and you'll thank yourself later.

Trust me, people are seriously worried they will be let go from their jobs:

Feel free to join the conversation (click post above).

For non-US countries (read here)

There's a nifty website that the United Nations built discussing a list of disability laws depending on where you live here .

These laws that cover many different parts of the globe are working to support the Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD) as national legislation.

And that national legislation continues to be developed to support worldwide sustainable development goals , one of which is building decent work and economic growth.

Imagine a world where your experience with ADHD was supported at home, school, and within the scope of your employment.

As a mental health professional, many of my clients wish to maintain a job because they tell me it gives them a sense of purpose.

And if a sustainable development goal is to help people build up toward them, then I'm in.

In closing

On a macro level, it's important to know that progress is being made, even when it doesn't feel like it.

But on a micro level (you and me), it's important to learn your rights and what federal processes are available to support you.

Lastly, despite the progress that has occurred in the last 50 years, we've still got a long way to go.

People with ADHD are still being overlooked in their employment, and it's not as simple as speaking up because hundreds tell me in private: "Jake, I don't trust my employer..."

Who could blame them?

I hear you. I'm with you. And want to tell you some employers do not wish to remove your rights and wish to keep you around.

They exist and I hope you can find them, as you learn what rights you may have.

Need help?

I would like to plug in a hero of mine who may be able to help you out.

Their name's Julie Harris - they talk disability inclusion, speaker, consultant, and now an author.

Link to their new book: Boldly Belong: The Power of Being You In a Disabling Society

Proud of you, friend.

And if you need a jump start on your ADHD journey, stay connected with me .

I've got a library of resources just for you.

Don't like reading? Here's my TikTok .

Need longer form content with details? Here's my YouTube .