What is the Accommodation Process?
As an employee, you have rights and responsibilities when your health condition is impacting your ability to complete your job. You are able to request a reasonable accommodation. An accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job that assists an individual with a disability in performing the essential job responsibilities.
Steps to Obtaining a Reasonable Accommodation
- You notify your supervisor and/or HR rep of the need for workplace assistance.
- Your supervisor and/or HR rep determines if your request would be considered a request for a disability related accommodation under the ADA. Your request may be better addressed through a different process and your HR rep will make referral.
- If your request is for a disability related accommodation, your department will likely request medical documentation to clarify your needs.
- Once medical documentation is received, your department will contact FSDS staff.
- There will be a meeting(s) to determine what accommodation(s) best fits your needs and the needs of your department.
- If an agreement is reached, the accommodation will begin immediately unless time is required to purchase, set up equipment, make arrangements, and/or provide training. These “set up” activities should be completed in a timely fashion.
- If an agreement of the accommodation is not reached, you may appeal the decision through FSDS and The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity.
Responsibilities
- You must notify your supervisor or HR rep of the need for an accommodation due to a health condition. You don’t necessarily have to use the words “reasonable accommodation,” “disability,” or “ADA” but you must give your department enough information so that they understand your health condition is having an impact on your ability to do your job.
- You must participate in the interactive process. This means you have to submit requested medical documentation within the timeline given by the department. You must also participate in the conversations where you and your department brainstorm possible accommodations. If you don’t participate, your department may consider your accommodation request withdrawn.
- Once an accommodation is agreed upon, you are expected to follow through and use that accommodation.
Rights
- You have the right to have your medical information treated confidentially. This means that only information necessary for the accommodation process will be shared with your supervisor and co-workers.
- You have the right to have a timely response to your accommodation request.
- You are able to appeal the decision of your department regarding your
accommodation.
- FSDS staff will attempt to mediate accommodation concerns between you and your department. If the informal dispute process is not successful, you may request the Employment and Disability Accommodation Appeal Form.
- The Appeal Form is routed to the director of FSDS who will attempt to mediate a resolution.
- If a mutual agreement is not obtained, FSDS staff will submit recommendations and forward all documentation to The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (EOD) for review.
- During this review period, you will work within the medically documented
restrictions. If work is not available within your medically documented
restrictions, you are able to use an accrued sick leave or vacation.
Page last updated December 2012