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ADA

Part-Time work seldom a reasonable accommodation

08/01/2007

Common sense says that an employee with full-time job responsibilities cannot perform that job on a part-time basis. But that’s essentially what disabled employees claim when they ask for a permanent reduced-hour schedule …

OK to terminate disabled worker—If there’s no way to accommodate

08/01/2007

The ADA says disabled employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations—but the key phrase is “reasonable” …

Fired worker can still receive total-Disability benefits

08/01/2007

The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that an injured employee may continue to receive temporary total-disability benefits even if he no longer qualifies for his position …

Review job description to reflect realities of position

08/01/2007

Employers who don’t specify essential functions and don’t ensure their job descriptions are up to date risk “function creep” in which the employee slowly, informally whittles away at the job to the point some tasks appear no longer essential …

Apply common sense in determining ‘Substantial impairment’

08/01/2007

We’re becoming a nation of complainers, and the workplace is no exception. Consider the growing number of employees who claim they have a real or imagined disability—and want an accommodation …

If disability affects performance, demotion may be in order

08/01/2007

Disabled employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations, including the elimination of nonessential functions. But what if an employee is functioning at a lower level than the job requires? …

Make sure you can track when downsizing decision was made

08/01/2007

Employees suddenly confronted with unpleasant alterations in their duties, responsibilities or schedules may look for reasons to avoid making the change …

Medical assessments should stick to the job, not generalities

08/01/2007

If the ability to perform certain physical tasks is absolutely essential to one of the jobs in your workplace, tread carefully when it comes to medical evaluations. The ADA makes it illegal to “regard” persons as disabled …

No employer duty to provide ‘Perfect’ accommodation

08/01/2007

Do you have a difficult disabled employee who seems to need constant care and attention and whose accommodations requests border on the ridiculous? Maybe it’s time to decide those requests are unreasonable. Here’s how to handle the situation …

Discipline for absences even if employee has disability

08/01/2007

Employees who take intermittent leave cause the greatest disruption in the workplace, according to comments received by the U.S. Labor Department on proposed revisions to the FMLA. That includes employees with disabilities who seem to need an inordinate—and unpredictable—number of absences. If you suspect abuse, don’t jump the gun …