If you are a disabled worker, it is essential to understand your rights and take action if you experience unlawful discrimination. Sometimes, disabled workers do not recognize violations of their legal rights because they are not familiar with relevant laws, while others are hesitant to stand up for themselves because they worry about retaliation (such as a demotion or losing their job).
You should familiarize yourself with key terms such as reasonable accommodations and undue hardship. Regrettably, some employers fail to provide disabled workers with reasonable accommodations.
Disabled workers, accommodations and undue hardship
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that employers with over 15 employees have to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled workers unless providing accommodations would cause undue hardship. If certain accommodations are too costly or hard to implement based on the company’s resources and size, employers can decline to provide such accommodations.
Moreover, employers do not always have to provide specific accommodations based on a worker’s request if an alternative accommodation is suitable.
Reasonable accommodations and disabled workers
The EEOC reports that if accommodations do not result in undue hardship, covered employers must provide disabled workers with reasonable accommodations. There are different examples of these accommodations, such as offering an interpreter or reader for employees with a hearing or visual impairment. Also, if an employee uses a wheelchair, their employer must make the workplace accessible.
If your employer has failed to respect your rights as a disabled worker due to denying reasonable accommodations, discrimination or any other violation, you need to immediately go over your options and take action swiftly.
