You may struggle to effectively perform your essential job functions due to a physical or mental impairment. It could be a pregnancy, a chronic illness, a temporary medical condition or even mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
In such a case, your employer should not ignore your needs or dismiss you. Instead, they are legally obligated to provide reasonable workplace accommodation to help you overcome your challenges.
What is reasonable accommodation?
Reasonable accommodation refers to modifications to a job or how it’s done or adjustments to the work environment that enable employees with qualifying disabilities to perform their job tasks to the same extent as people without disabilities.
These may include:
- Adjusting your work schedule or allowing flexible hours
- Giving you more frequent or longer breaks
- Providing assistive devices and technology
- Making the workplace more accessible by installing ramps
- Modifying your job duties or reassigning you to less strenuous tasks, among others
These accommodations aim to level the playing field and help you realize your full potential at the workplace despite the limitations caused by a disability or medical condition.
How to request reasonable accommodation
You can request reasonable accommodation from your employer anytime during your employment. While it can be verbal, putting it in writing can be helpful for future reference. Inform your employer of the challenges you face and front any suggestions you may have on what can be done to alleviate your situation.
It helps to gather supporting evidence like medical records as there may be an interactive session with your employer to discuss and finalize the accommodation.
Understand your legal rights
Requesting reasonable accommodation is legally protected in Illinois. As such, your employer should not retaliate against you for doing so – but they may not be required to provide the accommodations requested if it would cause them undue hardship, such as significant difficulty or expense.
Reaching out for legal guidance if you require workplace accommodation or facing related challenges can help you protect your interests and assert your rights to an inclusive work environment.