Interviewing for a new job is exciting, especially when you receive the call offering you the position. However, that excitement quickly turns to anxiety when you arrive on your first day to find that your workplace isn’t accessible for your disability. However, you don’t have to just tough it out. You are well within your right to request reasonable accommodations at work. If you’re unsure how to proceed, you’ll want to keep reading. You will also discover how a New York City employment discrimination lawyer can help you.
What Are Reasonable Accommodations?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone with disabilities is entitled to request and be granted accommodations to their workplace to make it more accessible. These are not “special privileges” but modifications that make it easier for an employee to complete their job.
For example, an employee with a physical disability may require the installation of a ramp on the exterior of their building, helping to ensure they can enter and exit their workplace with ease. Or, if an employee must frequently visit a doctor, they may have a more flexible schedule to complete their work to allow for appointments.
How Do I Request Them?
If you require accommodation, asking for the change as soon as possible is crucial. Generally, you should complete the request in writing. This allows you to ensure you have documentation of the request.
You don’t need to do anything special when requesting accommodations. You can simply ask your employer to make the changes in order for you to complete your job more efficiently. You do not need to mention the ADA in order for the request to be “correct.”
In your request, you should tell your employer that if issues with the accommodations arise, they should engage in conversation with you in order to find something that benefits both the company and you. Similarly, your employer is allowed to request medical documentation of your disability.
What Happens If My Employer Denies My Request?
If your employer denies your request, ensure that you have the rejection in writing. You can then continue working with your company to find alternatives to the request you made if budgeting or functionality was the issue.
Should your employer continue to ignore or deny the request, you may be able to go to Human Resources for help. However, they may side with your boss or the higher-ups denying the request.
If your employer continues to deny your request without reason or alternatives, you should enlist the help of an employment discrimination lawyer. This is a violation of the ADA, meaning your employer can be in serious trouble for their failure to comply with laws. Reach out to Mirza Law to connect with a competent lawyer to help represent you against disability discrimination in the workplace.