Employers’ Top 5 Questions About Return-To-Work Accommodation Requests

by Kristen Gallagher

Untitled design (34).png

As the pandemic subsides and vaccinations positively impact the workplace environment, employers are beginning to make plans and create policies, procedures, and requirements for transitioning employees back to the workplace either in a new hybrid model or a traditional pre-COVID work schedule. As the target dates are being set for return-to-work, many employers are experiencing a sudden and simultaneous increase in accommodation requests. Kristen Gallagher, Chair of the Employment & Labor Law Practice Group at McDonald Carano, has been assisting employers of all sizes and types with their questions about how to handle accommodation requests. Below, Kristen shares her insights and advice on the five most common COVID-related accommodation request questions she receives from employers.

  1. What is the process for determining which accommodation requests should be granted?

  2. What types of COVID accommodation requests are unrelated to an ADA-qualified disability?

  3. What are examples of how some common accommodation requests could be handled?

  4. What can employers do to help supervisors involved in accommodation requests?

  5. What other laws or regulations should be considered?

Read the entire article at the McDonald Carano website: https://www.mcdonaldcarano.com/news/employers-top-5-questions-about-return-to-work-accommodation-requests/

Gabrielle M. Brackett