By Therese Norton
The law requires employers to make “reasonable accommodations” for individuals with disabilities to perform their jobs. Identifying and implementing those accommodations can be tricky sometimes as it requires an individualized assessment of the nature of the disability and the required job duties. Union representatives may be called upon to assist in this process.
We recently discovered an incredible resource called the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is a free online resource that contains helpful information about many aspects of requesting and negotiating job accommodations. It has a special section for union representatives.
The website contains accommodation ideas for particular medical conditions including physical impairments like diabetes, or mental impairments like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For example, some job accommodation ideas that might be useful for employees with PTSD are:
- Provide written job instructions
- Provide space enclosures or a private space
- Allow the use of a support animal
- Provide alternative lighting
JAN’s Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) is designed to let users explore various accommodation options.
Bookmark these links for future reference or you can locate them on the Cline & Associates premium website links page.
If you or a union/guild member needs additional guidance, or if your employer is not responding to a request for an accommodation, please contact us.
