Are employers required to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled workers?

In California, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for disabled workers. According to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), employers are required to make “reasonable accommodation” for individuals with physical or mental disabilities that limit a major life activity. This means making changes to the workplace to avoid discrimination against such individuals. Examples of reasonable accommodations for disabled workers include providing flexible work hours, making physical changes to the workspace, allowing the worker to use assistive technologies, or allowing the worker to use a service animal at work. Employers are also required to engage in a “interactive process” with the disabled worker to determine what accommodations can be made. However, an employer does not have to provide accommodations if doing so would cause an “undue hardship” for the business. An undue hardship is defined as an accommodation that would require significant difficulty or expense. For example, if an expensive machine must be bought in order to accommodate a disabled worker, the employer may not be required to make the purchase. Employers in California are required to comply with the FEHA and provide reasonable accommodations for disabled workers. Not doing so could result in fines or other legal action. It is important for employers to be aware of their obligations and make sure they are in compliance with the law.

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