ADHD

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What's your experience with open concept offices? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by anondevopsworkaccount@lemmy.world to c/adhd@lemmy.world

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Hello fellow neurodivergents,

I'm applying to a job that I'm really excited about for various reasons, about to have my second interview so things are looking good but obviously I'm not guaranteed anything yet.

The only problem is it's an office job, and specifically an open concept office.

Right now I have a remote job and I'm honestly not that bummed about working in an office. It's super close to me and I could use the physical and mental work life separation. I'd prefer a hybrid job but meh. Besides, if I really end up hating it I can just quit, I think I'm pretty hireable. I want to make a life change.

I'm nervous about the open concept part, and I have some questions but also I'd just be happy for anyone to talk about their experience.

Are people going to be annoyed at me if I fidget, move around, and pace a lot? All of these activities help me think and soothe my anxiety.
Are people going to be like, constantly looking at my screen? Am I going to feel judged the whole time?
I have the classic ADHD "do double the work in half the time, do nothing the other half". Am I going to be judged on my work output, or how busy I make myself look?
If I have downtime, would it be acceptable to read a book or something?
If I have a chat with my coworker sitting next to me, is the whole office going to hear it? Am I going to be interrupting and bothering everyone? I like talking to my coworkers.
Did you disclose ADHD to your boss? Did you get any accommodations for it?

Like I said, I'd just be happy to hear anyone's experiences.

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[–] just2look@lemm.ee 10 points 1 week ago

So a lot of this is going to be difficult to answer as it depends on the work culture and individual personalities of coworkers.

Fidgeting is generally fine as long as it’s not noisy fidgeting. If it’s something like pen clicking, that is more likely to bother someone. Passing depends on the layout. If there is decent space you should be fine, but if it pushes you really close to other people it may make people uncomfortable.
People will almost certainly see your screen, whether they care what is on it is pretty dependent. If them seeing it makes you uncomfortable, some offices allow the addition of privacy screens which may help and is worth asking about if it will improve your quality of life.
Some places make a big deal of always looking like you’re on task while others just care about output.
Downtime is pretty much the same as the previous answer. Depends on your management and work culture. Might be an easier sell if your reading somehow relates to your work.
People will be able to hear, but talking is generally acceptable at a reasonable volume. Just be considerate of those around you and don’t distract people if they are busy. Along this same lines, you’ll also hear other people’s conversations. That’s why I wear my loop earplugs age have headphones for music. Helps me focus when I need to.
I did not disclose my ADHD, but also didn’t request any accommodations since I can have my earplugs and headphones which is really the only thing I needed. I’d love to have an office so I could close people out when I was especially busy, but that doesn’t really fall under reasonable accommodations.