Labor Law Spotlight: ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act - ADA

Federal Law

Enacted: 1990

Company size covered: 15 employees & more

Purpose:
Requires employers to make "reasonable accommodations" for employees with disabilities, once the disabilities are identified to/by the Company.

Key Provisions:
-Companies must make reasonable accommodations to enable employees identified with disabilities to perform their job duties
-disability loosely defined as interfering with "major life activities"
-strictly defined procedures for compliance
-establishes procedures for "reasonable accommodations" by employers

What You Should Do:
Be alert and sensitive to any employee input about potential disabilities that may require accommodations.

Get expert HR advice with this one.

In my opinion it is impossible to take issue with the intent of this law. But the reality of providing certain accommodations has proven to be expensive in many cases.


Lance