Disability discrimination in the workplace can manifest in many different ways. Sometimes, companies refuse to hire or promote workers with disabling medical conditions. Other times, workers may not receive the support they require to do their jobs safely given their medical conditions.
Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enshrines the right to reasonable accommodations in the workplace, workers often find themselves fighting an uphill battle to get the support they require. Some employers may deny reasonable requests from their workers. Those employees may then face hardships on the job that could affect their careers and their health.
How can an employer’s denial of an accommodation request affect the employee with the disability?
1. Their opportunities may dwindle
Workers with disabling medical conditions often require accommodations to safely perform job functions. If an employer refuses to provide assistive technology, work-from-home arrangements or other reasonable accommodations, the worker may not be able to accept a job opportunity, such as a perspective promotion.
In cases with new or worsening medical issues, they may not be able to retain their former position. They could then face a loss of income or limited earning potential.
2. Their performance may suffer
Workers may request accommodations to help ensure that they meet company performance standards. Without accommodations that help them work safely, workers may experience declines in productivity.
They may end up placed on a performance improvement plan and at risk of job loss or other career setbacks because of their medical challenges. The company may punish them for the medical consequences of their condition.
3. Their health may suffer
Many workers, including those who have committed years to career development and those in blue-collar professions, may put their job performance ahead of their physical well-being. They may push themselves if they do not receive accommodations.
The result may be that their condition worsens or that their overall quality of life declines. Workers should not have to sacrifice their health or their ambitions because companies refuse to accommodate them.
Those who have had to deal with refused accommodations may have reason to accuse their employers of disability discrimination. Taking prompt action may help employees protect themselves and their careers while simultaneously pushing for a better workplace culture. Filing a disability discrimination lawsuit is sometimes the best option available to those with disabling medical conditions that affect their job performance.