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ADA

Avoid preconceptions about what disabled employees can and cannot do

04/16/2019
Stick to the tasks you’ve identified as essential. Don’t change the list of essential job functions based on what you think you know about the disability.

Reasonable accommodation offered and refused? You have met your ADA obligations

04/16/2019
If it’s clear there’s no reasonable accommodation that will allow the worker to perform his present job, then the employer is free to offer another position he can perform, even if it pays less. If the worker refuses the offer, then he has ended the interactive process.

Know when more ‘ADA leave’ is unreasonable

04/16/2019
Time off can be a reasonable ADA accommodation. But it’s not reasonable to grant leave if it won’t help the worker return to work on a regular basis, when her presence is essential.

ADA process ends once request is granted

04/10/2019
What happens if the employer and the disabled employee immediately agree on an accommodation? A California appeals court has ruled that the interactive process can end right there.

Court won’t referee popularity contest: Being disliked isn’t grounds for lawsuit

03/26/2019
Some workers seem to believe that any slight or negative comment is grounds for a discrimination lawsuit. Fortunately, that’s not the case.

Most self-medication with marijuana remains illegal, and is grounds for discharge

03/15/2019
A federal court has ruled that a worker’s self-administration of an illegal drug for pain relief was grounds for discharge under an employer’s drug policy.

Don’t assume disability because of prescription

03/13/2019
If you learn an employee is taking a prescription containing a controlled substance, make sure you don’t make assumptions about disability. You don’t want to be accused of violating ADA “regarded as disabled” provisions.

ADA: Beware job descriptions so rigid that accommodations become impossible

03/13/2019
Employers may reject a proposed disability accommodation out of hand, thinking every job requirement is truly essential to getting the work done. But courts want to see some flexibility.

Light duty for pregnant employees? Not if you don’t offer it to other disabled workers

03/06/2019
Pregnant employees are entitled to light-duty assignments if the employer allows other disabled employees to be assigned to temporary light-duty positions. But what if no such work is available?

Bill would make it easier to sue for age discrimination

02/26/2019
A bipartisan coalition of representatives and senators have introduced legislation to strengthen employment protections for older workers.