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    • Two colleagues in a store room, one shows the other something on the screen of their tablet

    Managing dyslexia at work

    An estimated 10% of the population is dyslexic so it is unlikely that you will be the only person in your workplace who is dyslexic – you’re not alone. Some parts of your job might feel difficult, but there are things that can help you manage any day-to-day challenges.

    Should I tell my boss I’m dyslexic?

    It’s up to you whether you tell people that you are dyslexic, or if you think you might be. It might depend on:

    You might be worried that if you talk about dyslexia you may face discrimination, however:

    Before you speak to your manager, have a think about some of the things that might help you work better. What might help you with any challenges you face. How can you make the most of your strengths at work?

    Can I get help?

    If oyu are dyslexic you can ask for Reasonable Adjustments to the way you do your job. Reasonable adjustments are changes your employer can make to help you do your job. They can include making changes to the the processes in the job, the environment or equipment that might help you. Some of the costs of reasonable adjustments can be covered by the UK Government’s Access to Work programme.

    Benefits of asking for reasonable adjustments:

    DifficultyReasonable adjustments that can help
    Completing paperwork, reports or written workSave templates you have to write regularly; use text-to-speech software; use assistive technology; keep your own list of frequently used words for spelling; use bullet points where possible; find out if you can submit reports or messages in another format, such as voice recording.
    Managing emailsFlag important ones; file them under headings; use spellcheck; ask for training; find out how other colleagues manage their emails and see if you can use some of their approaches.
    ReadingIdentify colours or fonts which help you read from paper; use text-to-speech tools on screens or change text and background colours.
    Remembering to do thingsTake notes in diagram form; use assistive technology to record notes or set reminders; ask a colleague to demonstrate new tasks rather than talk about them, and let them know they may need to show you more than once; use crib sheets with step by step instructions for tasks.
    Organising and prioritisingWrite to-do lists; use coloured or highlighter pens; use mind maps; break work into smaller chunks; use images rather than words; use an electronic diary’s reminder and task list; find out how colleagues organise and prioritise their work. Find a system that works for you.
    Focus and concentrationIdentify what times of day you work best and do the hardest jobs then; use noise cancelling headphones; ask if you can get back to people; let people know you need to work quietly and without interruption; ask to work somewhere that helps you concentrate such as a less busy part of the work space.