What are Some Reasonable Accommodations at Work for Disabled Employees?

If, because of your disability, you are unable to perform certain of your job duties, but with a little help from your employer you could otherwise do your job, then you may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation for your disability. Broadly speaking, a reasonable accommodation is something that your employer does so that you can continue to do your job and enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment despite the limitations caused by your disability. Generally, your employer is obligated to engage with you in a good-faith interactive process to identify a reasonable accommodation for your disability. Your employer must then provide you with the reasonable accommodation unless the proposed accommodation would place an undue hardship on your employer. Determining whether a proposed accommodation is an undue hardship will depend on such factors as the cost and difficulty involved in providing the accommodation. If the proposed accommodation would create an undue hardship, or if the accommodation implemented proved to be ineffective, your employer must then interact with you to identify an alternative reasonable accommodation.

Reasonable accommodations can include:

• Adapting a job application process so that a qualified job applicant with a disability can be considered for the job the applicant is seeking.
• Adapting a job or the work environment so that an employee can continue doing his or her job.

Reasonable accommodations eliminate barriers that would otherwise prevent a disabled person from having a job. A barrier can be a physical obstacle, such as a very heavy door, which makes a workplace inaccessible to an employee with a certain disability. A barrier can also be a work rule or policy, such a strict adherence to an attendance or a rest break policy, which requires a disabled employee to work more hours or for a longer continuous period than he or she is able. If you need a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability so that you can do your job, even if you only need a reasonable accommodation part of the time, speak with your employer about it. You do not need to say any particular words or terms or phrases to start the process.

• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be allowing you to take time off from work on a staggered or intermittent or parttime basis for medical treatment or so that you can rest and recuperate or avoid fatigue.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be allowing you to take more or longer rest breaks in a workday, or by changing the specific start times of breaks, if the accommodation will enable you to remain productive throughout the workday or to take medication where otherwise you could not.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be providing you with a larger computer monitor or a monitor that displays larger text if the accommodation will enable you to do your job where otherwise you could not.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be providing you with a stool to sit on while working instead of standing throughout the workday if the accommodation will enable you to do your job and be productive where otherwise you could not.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be providing you with a footrest, if elevating your feet will enable you to do your job and be productive where otherwise you could not.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be having your employer inform company safety and first aid personnel that your disability may at some point require emergency treatment.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be allowing you to work at home, temporarily, permanently, or intermittently.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be reassigning or transferring you, temporarily or permanently, to another job, such as a light duty position, which you are able to do with your disability.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be retraining you so you can perform another job that you are able to do with your disability.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be changing the ventilation system (e.g. to reduce the flow of cold air) or moving your workspace so that it is not in a place where the ventilation system will affect your ability to work.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be placing you on another work shift or modifying your schedule so that you can start work earlier or later.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be moving you to an office within the facility that is accessible to you given your disability.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be extending your leave of absence for an additional length of time.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be having your employer provide you with advance notice of meetings so you have time to reschedule medical appointments, if necessary.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be modifying a workplace policy so that—as with a hospitalization without advance notice due to an automobile accident—a hospitalization without advance notice to your employer due to your disability is not considered an attendance policy violation.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be allowing you to have a small refrigerator in your workspace for food and drink to consume to avoid going into insulin shock.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be modifying a policy concerning productivity to take into account your reduced productively due to having to take time off, such as a leave of absence under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) or Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be having your employer chose a location that is accessible to you given your disability for mandatory training or company social functions such as outings and parties.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be providing you with an accessible parking space.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be allowing you to tape record staff meetings.
• An example of a reasonable accommodation at work for your disability can be allowing you to have desk into which your wheelchair would fit.

While not an exhaustive list, the foregoing examples should give you an idea of how varied reasonable accommodations in the workplace are.

If you believe your employer or former employer has violated your rights because of your disability, or if you believe your employer or former employer has otherwise violated your rights, call the experienced employment law attorneys at Kokozian Law Firm, APC or Contact Us via our online form.