As an employee, it can be incredibly disheartening when your employer denies a reasonable accommodation that you need to be able to successfully perform your job. You may feel like your employer isn’t taking your needs seriously and can be left feeling powerless.
However, you do have options – even if your employer has denied your reasonable accommodation, there are steps that you can take to make sure that your voice is heard and your needs are met. Read on to learn more and then contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 for a free legal consultation with a disability discrimination attorney.
Overview of Reasonable Accommodation Requests
Reasonable accommodation requests are an important tool that employers can use to ensure employees with disabilities are provided with equal access to the workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to employees or applicants with disabilities, so long as the accommodation does not create an undue hardship for the employer.
Reasonable accommodations can include a wide variety of modifications, adjustments, and other supports that are necessary to enable a disabled employee to perform their work effectively. Examples of reasonable accommodations can include modifying existing facilities, job restructuring, modifying work schedules, providing accessible equipment, and allowing the use of service animals.
Depending on the disability, employers may also be required to make changes to the way a job is performed or to provide specialized equipment. Additionally, employers may be asked to provide additional training or instruction to assist the employee with their job.
Reasonable accommodation requests must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. When considering a reasonable accommodation request, employers should consider the type of request, the cost of the accommodation, and the potential impact on other employees.
The employer should document any such requests and the process of evaluating the request. Employers should also make sure that any accommodations provided are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they remain effective and sufficient.
Reasonable accommodation requests provide an important way for employers to make sure their workplace is accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities. Employers should take all reasonable accommodation requests seriously and ensure they are reviewed carefully and promptly.
What to Do When Your Employer Denies a Reasonable Accommodation Request
First and foremost, it is important for employees who have been denied a reasonable accommodation request to understand their rights. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other related laws prohibit employers from discriminating against employees with disabilities.
If an employee has a disability, the employer must provide reasonable accommodation, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the employer. An employee should document their reasonable accommodation request and the employer’s response.
The employee must then file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC will investigate the complaint and determine whether it has legal merit. If the EEOC finds that the employer has violated the law, it can order the employer to provide the reasonable accommodation requested. If the EEOC is unable to resolve the dispute, the employee may choose to file a lawsuit against the employer.
You are not on your own in this battle. You can contact PLBH at (800) 435-7542 now to request a free legal consultation with an experienced disability discrimination attorney.