Workers in California have a legal right to receive reasonable accommodations for their job duties. This is established under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Failing to provide workers with reasonable accommodations for their disabilities is a form of illegal discrimination. It is important that employees understand the accommodations that are lawfully available to them. This can help tremendously when it comes to making a formal request.
Who Qualifies for Workplace Accommodations in California?
There are a number of different groups that will qualify for workplace accommodations in California.
- Employees with Disabilities: This could include employees with mental or physical impairments that impact their ability to perform certain actions.
- Employees with Temporary Disabilities: In many situations, employees may need temporary accommodations while they are recovering from surgery or something else.
- Employees with Chronic Medical Conditions: Employees that have lasting medical conditions that could impact their work performance must also be accommodated.
- Pregnant Employees: When an employee is pregnant, they have a right to accommodations under FEHA and Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL).
- Religious Employees: Employees can also be accommodated for their religious practices, which may include taking time to pray or avoiding work on certain days of the week.
If you were unsure whether or not you may be able to qualify for workplace accommodations, you should definitely speak with an employment lawyer.
What Are Reasonable Accommodations at Work?
Reasonable accommodations in the workplace can take many different forms. It is possible that a worker may need more than one accommodation.
- Modified work schedules
- Specialized chairs
- Accessible workspaces
- Medical leave
- Modified policies
- Sign language interpreters
This list is far from exhaustive. Employers must provide workers with reasonable accommodations unless they can show that the accommodation would cause them undue hardship.
Tips for Employees Seeking Accommodations
It can be intimidating to ask for accommodations in the workplace. But it is important for employees to understand that they are legally entitled to these accommodations. Here are some tips that can help.
- Gather all of the medical documents necessary for the request.
- Stay as professional and factual as possible.
- Notify your employer of your request in writing.
- Identify the specific accommodations that you were requesting.
- Keep all records of communication involving your request.
- Be open to the possibility of alternative accommodations to what you are requesting.
Despite the fact that employers are required to give workers reasonable accommodations, this does not always happen. Consider speaking with an employment lawyer if your request is unfairly denied.
Getting Legal Help for Workplace Accommodations
Employers are legally obligated to reasonably accommodate their workforce. When they failed to do this, they could face civil penalties. Affected workers may be able to seek financial damages through a civil claim.
If you or someone you care about is not being properly accommodated in the workplace, you do have legal options. Our team of employment lawyers at The Labor Champ is here for you. We can investigate your case free of cost and let you know if you have a claim that could be pursued. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help with your specific situation, we are here to help you. You can contact us anytime at 949-727-9300.
