Reasonable Adjustment Request Letter: ADHD at Work

What this guide does and does not do

This guide helps you describe what you find difficult at work and what might help. It does not diagnose ADHD, and it cannot tell you whether the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability applies to you — that depends on your individual circumstances and is assessed case by case. Requests are considered in the context of the job and the organisation.

Focus on tasks, not labels

Employers act on descriptions of work. 'Long verbal briefings are hard to retain, so I miss steps' is more useful than a diagnosis alone. Pick the two or three situations that cause the most difficulty and describe them concretely: which task, how often, and what goes wrong.

Adjustments people commonly discuss

• • Written follow-ups summarising verbal instructions or meeting actions.
• • Task lists agreed in priority order rather than a long undifferentiated queue.
• • Longer or protected planning time before deadlines.
• • A quieter desk, headphones, or reduced-interruption periods.
• • Shorter, more frequent check-ins instead of one long review.
• • Adjusted start times where medication or sleep patterns affect early mornings.
• • Agendas circulated before meetings and notes afterwards.

Not every item on that list will suit you

These are examples of what people ask for, not recommendations. Choose only the ones that match the barriers you have described, and be ready to discuss alternatives — your employer may suggest a different change that solves the same problem.

How much to disclose

You can request adjustments without sharing clinical detail, though giving some context often helps the conversation. If you have an occupational health report, a diagnostic letter or an Access to Work assessment, you can offer it rather than attaching it by default. Ask who will see the information.

Structure for the request

One short paragraph saying what you are asking for and why you are putting it in writing; the barriers, described by task; the adjustments you propose, one per line; how you think each could work day to day; an offer to trial and review; and a request for a written response.

Access to Work

GOV.UK runs an Access to Work scheme that can provide support or funding towards workplace support in some circumstances. It is worth reading the eligibility information yourself before mentioning it in a request.