Accommodations
Extraordinary Workplace Misconduct: Celebrating You is a Piece of Cake…
April 21, 2022
A Kentucky-based medical laboratory, Gravity Diagnostics, was found liable by a jury for disability discrimination when it fired an employee who suffered from an anxiety disorder that caused panic attacks.
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“[M]aintaining Consciousness is a Basic Element of any Job”
February 5, 2020
In Clark v. Champion National Security, Inc., a personnel manager had requested and received several accommodations for his diabetes.
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What Does the EEOC Think About Religious Accommodations? It’s Spooky!
October 31, 2019
In its latest edition of the Digest of EEO Law, the EEOC included an article entitled, “Religious Accommodation in the Workplace: An Overview of the Law and Recent Commission Decisions.” It provides guidance to private employers on the EEOC’s overall position on religious accommodations – and (just in time for Halloween) the conclusions are a little scary!
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Lactation Law Verdict Sends a Message: Don’t Mess With Mom!
May 7, 2019
$3.8 million dollars. That’s what a Tucson, Arizona jury awarded to a former fire paramedic denied workplace accommodations required under the Fair Labor Standards Act for women who want to pump breast milk for their infants.
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Leaving Work Early Due to Fear of Rush-Hour Traffic Is Not a Reasonable Accommodation
December 27, 2018
An employee requested that she be permitted to leave work early every day due to her anxiety triggered by driving home in heavy traffic.
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Eighth Circuit Weighs in on Religious Accommodations
December 6, 2018
The Eighth Circuit recently held in EEOC v. North Memorial Health Care, 908 F.3d 1098 (8th Cir. 2018), that the hospital properly moved on to another candidate after the first candidate refused to perform an essential function of the job.
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Reasonable Accommodations – Not Just for Essential Functions!
October 17, 2018
A recent case highlighted a important point under the Americans with Disabilities Act that is often overlooked – reasonable accommodations are not limited only to enabling employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs! They must also be provided to allow those employees to enjoy privileges and benefits of employment equal to non-disabled employees!
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Illinois Requires Paid Break Time for Nursing Moms
August 30, 2018
Last Friday, August 21, 2018, Illinois governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill amending the Illinois Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act (the “Act”) to provide paid break time to nursing mothers “as needed” to express milk during work hours. The new requirement took effect immediately, and applies to all Illinois employers with more than five employees.
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More Common Than You Might Think: Religious Accommodations for Ramadan
May 24, 2018
Many employers might not be familiar with Ramadan and might not have ever had an accommodation request relating to the religious holiday. However, there are around 3.3 million Muslims in the United States, many of whom are active in the country’s workforce.
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First Circuit OK’s Employer’s Decision to Grant Accommodation then Change Its Mind
May 11, 2018
We’ve all heard the discouraging mantra that “no good deed goes unpunished.” And while it may be a “glass half empty” way of looking at things, the unpleasant truth is that, sometimes, people and businesses make decisions out of kindness or a sense of responsibility that they will come to regret.
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Do Employers Have to Pay for Short Rest Breaks?
April 30, 2018
Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued an opinion letter that clarifies that short breaks do not need to be compensated in all cases.
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The Holidays Are Upon Us: Can an Employer Ask Employees Who Request Time Off or Another Accommodation for Religious Reasons about their Religion?
December 6, 2017
During the holiday season, employers may be faced with a variety of religion-related requests.
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