When a person suffers a debilitating injury, he or she may have to adapt to an entirely new lifestyle. And these changes will likely extend to every aspect of daily living, including how to function at work. Fortunately, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Employment and Housing Act contain rules requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
If a recent injury has left you in a condition that calls for certain accommodations, you will want to take the matter up with your employer. But what is the proper way to approach your employer so your needs can be assessed? Well, first off, it is best if you submit your request in writing. This way there is a record of your correspondence. But you will likely also want to discuss the matter face-to-face with your supervisors and HR representatives as well.
The first thing your employer needs to know is that you do, in fact, have a disability. You should also address the manner in which your disability may impact your ability to perform the duties of your job. And finally, you need to let your employer know what accommodations you will need.
Once your employer has these initial pieces of information, it is possible to begin the process of working out the details of your accommodations. They may ask for documentation that helps establish that you have a covered disability that requires accommodation.
If all goes well, your employer will work to make sure that your needs are met in accordance with the guidelines of the ADA and FEHA. However, if your employer refuses to fulfill these obligations, a California employee rights attorney could possibly offer you assistance. Given your circumstances, you may be able to have the matter resolved through mediation or by financial compensation.