All individuals, including those who suffer from a disability, should be afforded equal employment opportunities in a safe work environment. That sounds simple enough, but the truth of the matter is that employment discrimination occurs all the time. Innocent workers are then left with harm to not only their financial standing, but also their reputation and mental health. This is unfair and illegal, which is why if you think that you’ve been discriminated against in your workplace, then you might want to consider legal action.
This week, let’s briefly look at how the law seeks to protect those workers who are disabled.
Reasonable accommodations under the ADA
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, certain employers are required to make reasonable accommodations if those accommodations are necessary to ensure equal employment opportunities for disabled individuals. These accommodations can be wide-ranging, reaching issues of accessibility and how job duties are performed. Ramps, the use of braille, and even modified work hours are examples of reasonable accommodations. Those employers who refuse to make an accommodation may be deemed to have engaged in workplace discrimination.
The undue hardship standard
However, an employer may be able to forego a reasonable accommodation request if it can show that complying with it would cause an undue hardship. The analysis to determine whether an undue hardship exists is primarily financial in nature, taking into consideration the business’s resources in light of the cost of the accommodation. Other factors may come into play, though, such as how the accommodation will affect business operations.
Know the law to protect your interests
You have rights as a worker in this country. Don’t let your employer trample all over those rights without taking corrective action. We know that it can be scary to stand up to an employer, but that’s oftentimes the only way to ensure that you protect your reputation, your finances, and your future.