The Most Important ADHD Workplace Accommodation
If I’d had a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), I’d still have my old job.
What is a Standard Operating Procedure?
A Standard Operating Procedure is a document that outlines the individual steps required to complete a task at work.
While most companies have them, my last one did not. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to ask for in order to help me complete my tasks. I also didn’t know that ADHD is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act and that I had a legal right to ask for accommodations to help me get my work done.
I tried repeatedly to create checklists for myself, but spent so much time trying to invent the most efficient process that I rarely got my work done. Had I known to ask for an SOP, I would probably still be working for that company.
Why is this helpful to an employee with ADHD?
Individuals with ADHD can have deficits with working memory, or the ability to mentally hold information while working with it. We can also struggle with prioritizing tasks and putting subtasks into the correct chronological order.
A Standard Operating Procedure can help alleviate both of those issues by:
- Showing the employee the predetermined order of operations to complete a task. The responsibility is on the employer to decide the most effective way to do the job.
- Offering a visual reminder of the process removes the strain on working memory. The employee can focus on completing the action without needing to hold the instructions in their working memory.
Sample request email language: feel free to copy & paste!
Dear HR/Boss,
I would like to make an accommodation request of a Standard Operating Procedure document to aid in completing my job tasks.
Due to my ADHD, it can be difficult to determine the order of subtasks required to complete each task associated with my role. It can also be difficult to remember the instructions while I work without a visual aid.
I am requesting that a checklist is provided for each procedure that uses clear and concise language. I’m confident that these checklists will improve my productivity in this role.
Thank you.
Other helpful resources:
Job Accommodation Network’s page on ADHD
SweetProcess Guide to Writing a Standard Operating Procedure
WikiHow Guide to Writing a Standard Operating Procedure (more detailed)
