ADHD may be protected under the Equality Act 2010 where it has a substantial and long-term effect on day-to-day life. If so, your employer must consider reasonable adjustments. What is reasonable depends on the role, workplace and circumstances. These are the ones that help, and how to ask for them.
1/8 Noise-cancelling headphones
If it is a reasonable adjustment, your employer should pay for it, not you. Open-plan offices can make it hard to focus. Put your request in writing.
2/8 Flexible / hybrid working
Work from home for focused tasks and go into the office for meetings. Say exactly which days you are asking for.
3/8 Written instructions
Ask for written summaries after meetings and written briefs for tasks. Spoken instructions are easy to forget.
4/8 Flexible start times
Sleep problems are common with ADHD. Asking to start and finish later, for example 10am to 6pm, is a request your employer should consider.
5/8 More time on deadlines
Agree extra time at the start. Calling it planning time rather than extra time often makes people more willing.
6/8 A quiet workspace
A meeting room booked for focused work, or a quiet area of the office. Both are reasonable requests.
7/8 Access to Work funding
A UK government scheme that may help fund coaching, software and equipment. Support is assessed individually, so check current information on GOV.UK. You apply online. Your employer may be asked to share some equipment costs.
8/8 DSA at university
Disabled Students' Allowance pays for software, mentoring and a study skills tutor. It is free to apply.
This page provides general information, not legal advice. Rights depend on your circumstances. Check current guidance on GOV.UK or with ACAS. Last checked September 2026.