ADHD Reasonable Adjustments Guide (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

Create an Inclusive Workplace for Applicants and Employees with ADHD

Supporting someone with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during recruitment or at work can involve a wide range of considerations, and knowing what reasonable adjustments may help is not always straightforward.

This practical ADHD Reasonable Adjustments Guide helps employees, employers, managers and HR professionals better understand some of the characteristics and workplace barriers associated with ADHD, with practical examples of adjustments and support that can be considered around the individual’s needs.

Whether you are preparing for a conversation about reasonable adjustments, recruiting someone with ADHD, supporting an employee at work or helping them return following a period of absence, the guide provides a useful starting point without having to research everything from scratch.

Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at Work

ADHD can affect people in different ways and may influence attention, concentration, organisation, impulse control and activity levels.

The guide provides an overview of ADHD alongside examples of common characteristics such as difficulty maintaining focus, organisational challenges, restlessness and impulsivity. It also considers how these may create barriers in the workplace and gives examples of support that may help.

This provides useful context for understanding how ADHD may affect someone at work before considering what reasonable adjustments could be appropriate for the individual.

Reasonable Adjustments Throughout Employment

The guide considers reasonable adjustments at three important stages, recognising that the support someone needs may vary depending on their circumstances.

During recruitment
Practical considerations include making recruitment processes clear and accessible, allowing flexibility where appropriate, and considering how interviews or assessments are structured so applicants with ADHD can participate effectively.

At work
The guide explores areas such as flexible scheduling, task modification, changes to the physical workspace, supportive technology, colleague awareness and other practical ways to create a more supportive working environment.

Returning from absence
Considerations include creating a supportive and adaptable return to work, reviewing current needs and making adjustments to working arrangements where appropriate as the individual settles back into their role.

Supporting the Individual, Not Just the Condition

No two people will experience ADHD in exactly the same way. The impact on someone’s work, and the adjustments that may help them, can vary considerably.

The guide encourages an individual approach by helping you:

• Consider the person’s role, circumstances and specific workplace barriers
• Explore adjustments and support that could help address their individual needs and workplace barriers
• Use the suggestions as a starting point for conversations rather than a fixed checklist
• Review support as circumstances or needs change
• Record relevant points and considerations using the included editable notes page

The notes page includes separate areas for during recruitment, at work and return from absence, helping you keep useful information organised for future reference.

The rest of the guide is provided as practical reference information and can be viewed on a computer or mobile device or printed for easy reference.

How the Guide Is Structured

The guide takes you from understanding ADHD and potential workplace barriers through to considering practical reasonable adjustments during recruitment, at work and when returning from absence, with an editable notes page for recording key points.

• Condition description
• Common symptoms, workplace barriers and tailored support
• Did You Know? fact page
• Reasonable adjustments during recruitment
• Reasonable adjustments at work
• Reasonable adjustments when returning from absence
• Editable notes page

Need Broader Reasonable Adjustments Support?

Our Reasonable Adjustments Bundles bring together practical resources to help you support a wider range of individual needs and put a more consistent approach to reasonable adjustments in place across your workplace.