I have ADHD. It had never been a problem on the job that is until I worked for Shire in their Chesterbrook offices. I was a contractor, and although not a Shire FTE, I gave it my all and then some. When I first got onboard I was constantly asked if I thought I would stay because as my supervisor put it, I was doing a fantastic job. At first I thought the situation ironic. Here I am working for the company that makes my ADHD med. - Vyvanse.
Since I was now a contractor I was paying close to 400 dollars a month for a 30 day supply of Vyvanse. I would take the med in the morning and it lasted well past the end of the work day. After a few months it became apparent that I couldn’t foot the bill out of pocket for the drug. I stopped taking it because I just couldn’t afford it. My troubles then started at work. Late assignments, missed deadlines etc. All entirely my fault and no one else’s.
My supervisor brought me in to her office to find out what was going on since up to that point I was doing great. I wrestled with decision beforehand whether or not to tell her that I had ADHD, and was currently looking for something that I could afford. I thought maybe I would get a break because of my past excellent performance. I decided to tell her that I did have ADHD and that I was currently off meds, but was taking steps to correct the issue. Normally I would never disclose having ADHD since it had never been an issue on the job while medicated. I thought this because; they made ADHD drugs here at Shire. Maybe my supervisor would understand?
It turned out to be the stupidest thing I have ever done. I got on generic Adderall XR which seemed to do the trick to a point. It just doesn’t have the efficacy for me that Vyvanse does. My performance went back to where it was though and I thought the issue at work was behind me. As time went on I began to notice that my supervisor hardly spoke to me anymore and that my assignments were being routed to the other contractor that I worked with.
I went from top dog; to the dog’s business. I was let go last month on a Friday with the missive that I was being given 2 weeks because of my past performance, and that I would have to turn everything over to another contractor in my group. I was in charge of too many things and just letting me go that day would cause a major disruption of work since my replacement was clueless. But I did learn a valuable lesson. To never disclose that you have a medical condition on the job. I’m not bitter as I write this. I just wanted to share what really goes on at the company who ‘REALLY’ wants to help those with ADD/ADHD. Yeah….my pale white ass they do. The celebration over 1 billion USD in sales last year elicited more empathy, trust me on that one. The celebration in the bridge at Chesterbrook reminded me of a shark’s feeding frenzy. Just stay out of fat women’s way near the buffet tables is all I have to say on that.
On my way out the door in my last 2 weeks there I found out that a number of folks with ADD/ADHD ranging from Admins to Sales force had been shown the door for ADD/ADHD related issues.
Shire Pharmaceuticals really is the last bastion of conformity. Be different, look different, you’re screwed.
Since I was now a contractor I was paying close to 400 dollars a month for a 30 day supply of Vyvanse. I would take the med in the morning and it lasted well past the end of the work day. After a few months it became apparent that I couldn’t foot the bill out of pocket for the drug. I stopped taking it because I just couldn’t afford it. My troubles then started at work. Late assignments, missed deadlines etc. All entirely my fault and no one else’s.
My supervisor brought me in to her office to find out what was going on since up to that point I was doing great. I wrestled with decision beforehand whether or not to tell her that I had ADHD, and was currently looking for something that I could afford. I thought maybe I would get a break because of my past excellent performance. I decided to tell her that I did have ADHD and that I was currently off meds, but was taking steps to correct the issue. Normally I would never disclose having ADHD since it had never been an issue on the job while medicated. I thought this because; they made ADHD drugs here at Shire. Maybe my supervisor would understand?
It turned out to be the stupidest thing I have ever done. I got on generic Adderall XR which seemed to do the trick to a point. It just doesn’t have the efficacy for me that Vyvanse does. My performance went back to where it was though and I thought the issue at work was behind me. As time went on I began to notice that my supervisor hardly spoke to me anymore and that my assignments were being routed to the other contractor that I worked with.
I went from top dog; to the dog’s business. I was let go last month on a Friday with the missive that I was being given 2 weeks because of my past performance, and that I would have to turn everything over to another contractor in my group. I was in charge of too many things and just letting me go that day would cause a major disruption of work since my replacement was clueless. But I did learn a valuable lesson. To never disclose that you have a medical condition on the job. I’m not bitter as I write this. I just wanted to share what really goes on at the company who ‘REALLY’ wants to help those with ADD/ADHD. Yeah….my pale white ass they do. The celebration over 1 billion USD in sales last year elicited more empathy, trust me on that one. The celebration in the bridge at Chesterbrook reminded me of a shark’s feeding frenzy. Just stay out of fat women’s way near the buffet tables is all I have to say on that.
On my way out the door in my last 2 weeks there I found out that a number of folks with ADD/ADHD ranging from Admins to Sales force had been shown the door for ADD/ADHD related issues.
Shire Pharmaceuticals really is the last bastion of conformity. Be different, look different, you’re screwed.