Workplace Accommodations
If an employee notifies you that they are having trouble getting work done because of a medical condition or disability, they may be asking for a reasonable accommodation. Such requests should be handled with care and in compliance with federal and state laws. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a disability, unless it would impose an undue hardship on the employer. Here are a few tips for handling accommodation requests:
- Promptly acknowledge the request
- Engage in an interactive process with the employee to understand their needs
- Request reasonable medical documentation if necessary
- Consider the requested accommodation in relation to the job functions and work environment
- Implement the chosen accommodation while documenting the process throughout
Developing written policies and procedures for processing accommodation requests and training all supervisors how to recognize and respond to these requests are both imperative for adequately meeting the needs of disabled employees and protecting the employer from potential liability. If you would like a member of our team to help your company develop an accommodation policy or provide training, please let us know!
