Collette Easton
ADHD at work

The 12 pillars of ADHD at work.

Twelve short guides for working with ADHD. Each takes a minute or two. Start with the one you need today.

Newly diagnosed, waiting for an assessment, or worried about a manager or a process. These are for you.

Collette Easton

Written by Collette Easton, who has sat on both sides of the desk: as the employee with ADHD and as the manager.

01 The law 1 min read 02 Reasonable adjustments 1 min read 03 Disclosure 1 min read 04 Access to Work 1 min read 05 Performance management 1 min read 06 Grievances and conflict 1 min read 07 Diagnosis and assessment 1 min read 08 How the ADHD brain works 1 min read 09 Emotion, shame and rejection sensitivity 1 min read 10 Masking and burnout 1 min read 11 Leading with ADHD 1 min read 12 Tools, AI and systems 1 min read
Pillar 01 · 1 min read

The law

What it is

The Equality Act 2010 can protect you if ADHD has a substantial, long-term effect on your day-to-day life. You don’t need a formal diagnosis.

Why it matters to you

Knowing you’re protected changes how you walk into a difficult conversation.

What you can do
  1. Keep a simple record of dates, conversations and requests.
  2. Raise concerns in writing.
  3. Most tribunal claims now have a six-month time limit.
  4. Talk to ACAS early.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to ACAS or an employment adviser.

Pillar 02 · 1 min read

Reasonable adjustments

What it is

Changes to how your work is done so ADHD doesn’t put you at a disadvantage. The best ones are often about management, not equipment.

Why it matters to you

Many useful adjustments cost nothing.

What you can do
  1. Ask for written briefs after meetings, a regular check-in rhythm, feedback in writing first, and big projects broken into milestones.
  2. Make the request in writing.
  3. Ask for a review date.
Pillar 03 · 1 min read

Disclosure

What it is

Choosing whether, when and how to tell your employer.

Why it matters to you

Your employer’s duty to make adjustments largely depends on knowing about your ADHD.

What you can do
  1. Decide who to tell: manager, HR or occupational health.
  2. Lead with what helps you work well.
  3. Follow up in writing.
  4. You don’t have to share medical details.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to ACAS or an employment adviser.

Pillar 04 · 1 min read

Access to Work

What it is

A government grant that can pay for support such as ADHD coaching, software or a support worker.

Why it matters to you

It funds help beyond what your employer must provide, and you can apply yourself.

What you can do
  1. Apply on GOV.UK.
  2. Describe your hardest days, not your best ones.
  3. Apply early, because waits can be long.
  4. Keep your reference number.
Pillar 05 · 1 min read

Performance management

What it is

Performance plans (PIPs), probation reviews and capability processes.

Why it matters to you

Processes that ignore ADHD tend to go badly for everyone.

What you can do
  1. Ask whether adjustments were considered before targets were set.
  2. Ask for clear targets in writing.
  3. Ask for adjustments to the process itself, such as an agenda in advance.
  4. Keep your own notes.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to ACAS or an employment adviser.

Pillar 06 · 1 min read

Grievances and conflict

What it is

The formal route for raising a complaint at work.

Why it matters to you

Mishandled grievances were the most common employer failure in the ADHD Tribunal Files (59 cases).

What you can do
  1. Try an informal conversation first if it feels safe.
  2. In writing, set out the facts, the dates and the outcome you want.
  3. Ask for adjustments for the meeting.
  4. You can bring a companion.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, talk to ACAS or an employment adviser.

Pillar 07 · 1 min read

Diagnosis and assessment

What it is

Getting assessed through the NHS, through Right to Choose in England, or privately.

Why it matters to you

You don’t need a diagnosis to be protected, but it can bring understanding, treatment options and support.

What you can do
  1. Ask your GP for a referral.
  2. In England, ask about Right to Choose.
  3. Before going private, check whether your GP will share care.
  4. You can ask for adjustments while you wait.
Pillar 08 · 1 min read

How the ADHD brain works

What it is

ADHD affects executive functions: starting tasks, prioritising, holding information in mind and sensing time. Attention follows interest and urgency.

Why it matters to you

It’s not about willpower. Once you understand the mechanism, you can design around it.

What you can do
  1. Get things out of your head: lists, timers, visual plans.
  2. Make the first step smaller.
  3. Borrow urgency by working alongside someone.
  4. Save your best hours for your hardest work.
Pillar 09 · 1 min read

Emotion, shame and rejection sensitivity

What it is

ADHD often brings strong, fast emotions, and many people feel criticism intensely. Rejection sensitivity is a widely used description, not a formal diagnosis.

Why it matters to you

Feedback can land as rejection and lead to withdrawal or an outburst. That gets misread, and the cycle repeats.

What you can do
  1. Ask for feedback in writing first, then talk it through.
  2. Buy time: “Can I come back to you tomorrow?”
  3. Separate what was said from the story you’re telling yourself.
Pillar 10 · 1 min read

Masking and burnout

What it is

Masking means hiding or overcompensating for ADHD traits to fit in.

Why it matters to you

It’s exhausting, it often leads to burnout, and it’s one reason many women and high achievers are diagnosed late.

What you can do
  1. Notice where you mask most.
  2. Drop one mask with one safe person.
  3. Build recovery into your week.
  4. If you’re burning out, talk to your GP or occupational health. A phased return can be an adjustment.
Pillar 11 · 1 min read

Leading with ADHD

What it is

Managing people or running a business on an ADHD brain.

Why it matters to you

The traits that help you start things can make sustaining them harder, and your working style shapes your whole team’s.

What you can do
  1. Hire people who are strong where you’re not.
  2. Write briefs down.
  3. Keep idea time separate from decision time.
  4. Tell your team how you work best.
Pillar 12 · 1 min read

Tools, AI and systems

What it is

External structures that hold what your brain doesn’t need to.

Why it matters to you

Systems beat memory, and ADHD brains do better with structure outside the head.

What you can do
  1. Use one place to capture everything.
  2. Break goals into small commitments.
  3. Get accountability from a real person.
  4. Use AI to turn messy notes into next steps.
  5. Loops is built for exactly this.
Want to talk it through?

You don’t have to work this out on your own.

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