ADHD and new job role

curlyadhd

Can’t believe I’m saying this after only 3 weeks and 4 days of being there, but I fear I’m being discriminated at work.

I started on 14/07/25 and was shadowing my predecessor up until her last day on 25/07/25. During this time I was told I was doing really well in the team. Then Monday 28/07/25 onwards it all went down hill. 30 emails in my inbox from Friday previous. Some of these were go ahead a to order parts which were meant to be done on Friday, so had a knock on effect for the repair jobs booked the following week. Naturally I got into trouble for this. Then I was told that I was raising quotes wrong, doing reports wrong, sending invoices when I should be sending reports to certain clients. Forgetting to scan parts on the van for engineers, one was for a fridge door! And yesterday to top it off, I sent the wrong date of delivery to an estate agent 3 times.

Every day I come into work and I am told about something I have done wrong the day before. Yesterday my manager called and asked me what I’m having trouble with within my role, and why I don’t understand. Then she told me she was beginning to wonder if she can actually teach me anything. I know on Monday I am going to get shouted at. So my anxiety is through the roof.I had my period last week, so was on increased dose of 70mg elvanse. I’ve also found out I am at the perimenopausal stage too.I’m petrified to go back to work on Monday. 😢

Holly_Scope

Hi @curlyadhd so sorry to read how things have taken a turn at work. It sounded like it started really well. Is it that you're learning more, and perhaps have had more responsibility put on you recently?

I know what it feels like when you do something wrong, and if your panicking or feeling really anxious about the reaction, it can make it more likely for you feel confident with your work, and maybe more likely to make mistakes. Especially with what you've said about the way your manager has spoken to you. Have they shouted at you before?

It's a difficult situation, because there is a process that needs to be followed and I think some additional training and encouragement would be really helpful to make you feel confident to do your role. But I worry from what you've said, that your manager might not be the most supportive.

Holly_Scope

Sorry @curlyadhd, I also wanted to ask if your employer is aware of your ADHD? It might be some adjustments might be required to meet your needs at work.

curlyadhd

thanks for your reply @Holly_Scope. In both my interviews I disclosed my adhd to senior management and the company director. I did ask verbally if we had a demo version of our software, that I could use to practice, but was told we didn’t have it. They haven’t shouted at me before, but I noticed things were changing when I asked to be shown something again and my manager started rubbing her eyes and said “I’ve shown you this before”. That’s when her demeanour changed towards me fully. Since Wednesday just gone, she has only spoken to me to tell me what I have done wrong. Yesterday was the final straw for me when she called me on the office phone and told me off like I was a child.

I really like my job, but I’m finding it difficult to work with her around. Can I request to work from home? It’s office based but we have remote access. I really don’t want to face her on Monday.

Holly_Scope

Bless you, that sounds really tough. Is there anybody else within the team that can spend a little time training you, that you maybe feel a bit more comfortable with?

You could ask the question, but in most cases this is at the discretion of your manager and I'm not sure how they'll react based on what you've mentioned. Is there any chance you could pull them to one side Monday and let them know how you're feeling, that you really enjoy your job but would like a bit more support? I appreciate it will be scary but it might help if you pro-actively speak to them and ask for some more support.