Top tips for helping employees manage ADHD at work

People with ADHD will, more often than not, have challenges in the workplace, which may lead to them leaving a job. However, with tailored support and understanding around their strengths and talents, they are likely to flourish and become a great asset to your organisation.

It’s important to remember that everyone with ADHD is different, and the condition affects people in different ways, but they have the same broad range of skills, interests and intelligence as the rest of society. Open communication with your employees is key so that you can find out what support would help them most.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition which affects brain structure and neurotransmission, which is the way in which messages are communicated around the brain and how different areas of the brain are activated.

It has three core traits which affects people with differing degrees:

Inattention
Impulsiveness
Hyperactivity

Traits of ADHD are present from childhood, but recently, an increasing number of adults are being diagnosed with ADHD for the first time, as the condition becomes more widely understood. Even without an official diagnosis, which can take years to obtain, employers have a duty of care to their employees and must offer reasonable adjustments.

A review by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association found that adults with ADHD are nearly 60% more likely to be let go from a job role, 30% more likely to have chronic or ongoing employment challenges, and three times more likely to quit a job.

So how can you support your employees with ADHD?

Promote awareness and understanding

Educating the wider workforce about ADHD can help create an inclusive environment which better understands the needs of neurodivergent employees. For your senior leadership team and managers, consider hosting training sessions or workshops to help you and your workforce understand ADHD and how neurodivergent traits impact people in the workplace.

This awareness can reduce stigma and encourage open conversations that can lead to increased empathy, support and cohesion at work. This way, your employees with ADHD can adopt strategies that work for their neurotype.

Encourage regular check-ins

Encourage regular check-ins where employees can express any challenges relating to their ADHD. When a colleague has ADHD, it’s important to understand that they intend to get tasks done in a timely manner, however, there are obstacles that might be getting in their way.

Time can be a challenge for someone with ADHD, which affects their perception of how long something will take them, and also can cause them to overestimate the length of time until a deadline. Those employees with ADHD may benefit from the routine of regularly check-ins to help keep them on track and accountable. Without these interactions with their managers or team leaders, they may unintentionally lose their way on certain tasks. This is especially true for tasks that offer no reward, novelty or interest, or have many steps to them.

Implement flexibility

Flexibility can be crucial for employees with ADHD. It takes time and patience to understand their needs and you have to get to know them as people to figure out what strategies truly work for them to help them thrive in their job role.

Consider options such as remote work, flexible hours and locations, and if possible, adjustable deadlines. These arrangements allow employees to work when they feel most productive and help to minimise distractions.

People with ADHD can meet workplace demands in an environment that helps them focus, stay on task, and be productive.

Create a structured environment

A structured work environment can greatly benefit employees with ADHD. This type of environment will help them establish routines and set clear expectations of what is expected of them.

Use project management and technology tools to help them break tasks into manageable steps and encourage the use of calendars and reminders to stay organised.

There are a number of apps which can assist people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions that impact executive function: i.e. working memory, attention, time management, organisation, planning and prioritisation, self-regulation, task initiation and completion, and self-monitoring.

However, not every app works for everyone, so be open to trying multiple options. Some potentially helpful apps include:

To do list reminders / scheduling apps (e.g. Todoist, Wunderlist, Trello)
Aids if reading and writing are a problem (e.g. Captivoice.com, Google Docs Voice Typing, Apple Dictation)
Blockers to eliminate distractions from social media / smart phones during tasks (e.g. Cold Turkey)
White noise / ambient noise apps (e.g. Coffivity, Focusatwill)
Note taking apps (e.g. To Do, Microsoft OneNote)

Provide clear instructions and feedback

Clear, concise instructions can help reduce overwhelm in employees with ADHD, allowing them to better focus on their tasks. The use of bullet points, visuals, or checklists to communicate expectations can be highly effective.

Helping your employees with ADHD succeed doesn’t stop once changes in the workplace have been made to meet their needs. You may need to consider providing and receiving feedback so both parties know how the changes are working.

As an employer, you can also tell them about their progress at work and the areas they might need to work on. Regular feedback helps them stay on track and make the necessary adjustments. Positive reinforcement can also increase motivation due to the brain’s response to reward, creating dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is unstable in people with ADHD.

Encourage breaks and physical activity

Regular breaks and physical activity can enhance focus and productivity, potentially reducing overwhelm or stress from their workload.

Encourage employees to take short breaks to recharge, and consider implementing wellness programmes that promote physical activity, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques.

Standing desks can benefit people with ADHD by allowing them to get up when they are feeling hyperactive and need to move. Fidget toys and footrests can also help them keep moving and the repetitive movements can help them stay regulated and focused. Walking meetings are also helpful for people with the hyperactive type of ADHD.

By implementing active initiatives, businesses can create an environment that encourages and supports physical activity and regular movement, including fidgeting or ‘stimming’, ultimately improving employee satisfaction and leading to better retention rates.

Set realistic goals and help them conquer tasks

Help employees set achievable goals that align with their strengths and capabilities. If you request something from an employee with ADHD, it can be helpful to ask them what timeframe makes sense for them to provide you with what you need.

Once this is agreed, it may be helpful to ask for regular updates before the work is due just to make sure it remains at the top of their to-do list. Be constructive with any conversations around goals and don’t be afraid to discuss with them what will help them get work done in a timely fashion. Often, switching strategies helps keep professionals with ADHD engaged, through renewed novelty.

If you notice mistakes are being made regularly, it could be that they haven’t processed the instructions properly. You can assist by asking what their preferred communication type is. People with ADHD often benefit from multiple forms, such as an email with action points following a phone call, or live captions.

As with any employee, but especially those who thrive on reward, be sure to celebrate their accomplishments to help boost motivation and confidence.