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How can employers accommodate employees with RSD and ADHD? 

Posted
Updated
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) can deeply affect how people with ADHD experience feedback, teamwork, and performance expectations at work. According to NICE ADHD guidance (NG87), emotional dysregulation is a recognised part of ADHD that can cause distress, poor self-esteem, and interpersonal difficulties. With awareness and reasonable adjustments, employers can help create workplaces where employees with ADHD and RSD feel understood and supported. 

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Understanding RSD in the workplace 

RSD often leads to intense emotional responses to perceived criticism or rejection. According to ADHD UK and Mind UK, this sensitivity is not about overreacting but about how ADHD affects emotional processing. Employees may fear making mistakes, struggle with feedback, or withdraw after negative interactions. The Equality Act 2010 protects ADHD as a recognised disability in the UK, meaning that employers have a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments to reduce barriers. 

Practical workplace adjustments 

Workplace support for RSD and ADHD can be straightforward and highly effective. NICE-aligned practice and UK mental health charities recommend: 

  • Constructive feedback: Give feedback privately and focus on collaboration rather than criticism. 
  • Predictable communication: Use clear, written expectations instead of ambiguous or last-minute changes. 
  • Flexible working: Offer autonomy over scheduling, short breaks for emotional reset, or hybrid options when possible. 
  • Wellbeing check-ins: Encourage one-to-one conversations to build trust and reduce fear of rejection. 
  • Education and awareness: Train managers to recognise ADHD-related emotional dysregulation and support with compassion rather than performance pressure. 

Employers can also use guidance from ADHD Foundation to develop ADHD-friendly workplace policies that normalise emotional regulation challenges. 

Accessing professional and coaching support 

Beyond HR policies, access to structured support can improve self-management. Private and public ADHD services, such as ADHD Certify, provide diagnostic assessments and medication reviews for adults. Coaching-based programmes like Theara Change focus on workplace resilience and emotion regulation skills aligned with NICE recommendations. These can complement NHS or occupational health pathways. 

Takeaway 

Employers play a powerful role in helping people with ADHD and RSD succeed at work. Small, evidence-based adjustments, consistent communication, constructive feedback, and flexible working, can transform workplace confidence and wellbeing. By fostering understanding and collaboration, organisations create environments where neurodiverse employees can thrive. 

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Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Author

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

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