how does this work?

Post date: 2019-12-12 04:11:59

I want to request ADA accomodation at my workplace. I have never done this before. How does this process work?

For context, you can look at my previous few questions. Basically, I started a new job in September and while I enjoy the work and have gotten good feedback from my boss, I am finding that the open office environment is not a good fit for me, as the level of noise is severely disrupting my ability to focus and get my work done. I have managed open office environments with no issues in past jobs, but I haven't been in an open office for nearly five years, and major traumatic events in my personal life over the past two years have left me with C-PTSD, diagnosed officially this year. The volume and content of the noise in the office makes me anxious, hyper-vigilent, and distressed, and I have taken to wearing headphones nearly 6 out of 8 hours during the day just to block the noise out so I can do my job and perform well. Other folks in this office occasionally wear headphones, but I'm the only one who has them on for the majority of the day. It's easy to get my attention if needed while I have them on, so I don't miss important information and am always willing and able to talk with someone who needs something from me. I always take them off when my phone rings, or when the boss comes to our work area to speak to us. But otherwise, I have them on. On days when I don't wear them I get stressed out and on a couple of occasions I have had full blown panic attacks (in the ladies room, out of view till I've recovered), and I'm extremely fragile and shaky for the rest of the day.

Unfortunately, even though nobody has said anything outright, I get the feeling just from little comments that I overheard that people are finding it weird that I'm always wearing headphones, like I am purposefully isolating myself (and I am) because I don't like any of them (which is not the case). I am about 7-10 years older than many of my colleagues and I think I am getting a reputation as a stick in the mud who hates fun, when in reality I'm just trying to fucking survive and do my work well so I can support myself and pay my bills and for my medical treatment. They don't need to know those specifics, but I am beginning to think that I should preemptively ask for official accommodations (regarding the headphones) so as to prevent this from becoming something that holds me back or puts my job in jeopardy before I have a chance to find another job where the cultural fit is better. My psychiatrist is more than happy to provide whatever documentation is necessary for this.

My questions are:

1) is this a good idea?
2) how do I go about getting officially documented ccomodations? go straight to HR? talk to my manager first?
3) once I have documented accomodation, how does this impact my day to day life in this office? people are probably still going to snark about my headphones since it's not like I'm going to announce to the whole place that I have a debilitating mental health condition. do I just live with that, knowing that at least management knows I'm in the clear and it won't impact my performance reviews or anything else?

Looking for advice specifically from those who have successfully asked for accomodations at work, and HR people who have fielded these requests. Thanks in advance.

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