ADHD in the Workplace: Challenges and Supportive Practices – A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic literature review examines how adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience challenges in the workplace and how organisations can better support these employees through workplace accommodations and broader organisational practices. The review addresses two research questions: (1) what is known about the workplace challenges experienced by employees with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD? (2) What workplace accommodations and organisational practices support employees with ADHD, and what associated outcomes, including productivity and wellbeing, have been reported?

Peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2014 and 2026 were identified using a systematic search guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework. Studies were screened against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria relating to relevance, methodological quality, language, and publication type. Searches were conducted across Scopus, EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, and ERIC. From an initial pool of approximately 377 records, 34 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. 7 organisational grey literature reports were included from a reviewed list of 270 webpage and site hits.

The findings suggest that workplace experiences for employees with ADHD are shaped not only by individual characteristics, but also by the organisational environments in which they work. While academic literature largely focuses on workplace challenges, organisational reports tend to emphasise strengths, neuroinclusion, and organisational responsibility. Across both bodies of literature, it became clear that workplace accommodations are effective when supported by capable managers, psychologically safe cultures, and organisational systems that enable employees to access the support they need.

Overall, this study found that improving workplace outcomes for employees with ADHD involves more than providing individual accommodations. It requires organisations to consider how work is designed, how managers support employees, and how organisational systems shape everyday experiences at work. By bringing together academic and organisational evidence, this review offers practical insights for employers while identifying priorities for future workplace research.