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Understanding reasonable accommodations in the workplace

On Behalf of | May 20, 2022 | Disability Discrimination |

Suppose you are seeking a job with a disability. In that case, you may wonder what “reasonable accommodations” are and how far a California employer must go to be fair in their hiring process. 

While there is some confusion about what is reasonable and when you have encountered discrimination, some information to clarify this can be found here. 

Reasonable accommodation defined

Reasonable accommodations are changes to the application process, hiring process or job so someone with the necessary skills can still do the work despite their disability. For an accommodation to be considered “reasonable,” they can’t cause a direct threat or undue hardship to the business or its operations.

Examples of reasonable accommodations in California workplaces

It’s worth noting that reasonable accommodations aren’t “special treatment.” In fact, they are often beneficial to all workers, not just those with a disability. 

Examples would be things like ramps, ergonomic workstations and modifying the office layout. These changes would help the individual with a disability and make the work environment more comfortable for everyone. Because of this, these types of changes are also called “productivity enhancers” in some situations. 

Other examples of reasonable accommodations employers are expected to provide include flexible work schedules, reserved parking and adjusted work duties. 

Handling cases of discrimination due to a disability

If you believe an employer is not providing reasonable accommodations, it’s good to review your rights. Sometimes, you can hold them responsible for failing to do this and file a lawsuit to ensure cases of discrimination do not continue happening. 

Individuals with a mental or physical disability have a right to work if they have the necessary skills for a job opening. It’s often necessary for employers to accommodate these disabilities with the reasonable accommodations mentioned here (and others).