Do you have a permanent or temporary disability that makes it impossible to normally discharge some of your work duties? Would you do better with a few alterations at your workplace? Then your employer may be required to make reasonable accommodations for your disability, in line with anti-discrimination laws.
A reasonable accommodation is any adjustment your employer may make in the workplace that will make it easier for you to do your job despite your disability. Examples of reasonable accommodation include:
- Revised work schedules and flexible leave policies
- Acquisition of equipment or technology that would make work easier
- Physical alterations to the workplace, such modifications to the desk’s heights
- Reassignment of duties
When do you need to request a reasonable accommodation?
You can request reasonable accommodation at any point if you have a disability and believe that it will help you perform your duties effectively. However, you need to document the accommodation and inform your employer of your disability, preferably in writing.
That way, you can have a reference point if you need proof of request. Additionally, the accommodation provided must be practical in that it should resolve the functional limitations of your disability.
Remember that your employer does not have to endure undue hardships when providing such accommodation. If providing reasonable accommodation will result in extensive disruption of work operations or is too costly to implement, your employer may be excused from the undertaking.
Did your employer deny you reasonable accommodation?
If you believe your employer’s reasons to deny a request for reasonable accommodation were frivolous or outright illegal, you need to know the steps to take in protecting your legal rights.