As I reported last week, after receiving over 600 public comments on its proposed regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), the EEOC has released its final rules. So what’s in these rules? And how will they affect employers? I’ve got a nice summary from the EEOC…
Articles Posted in Disability
EEOC releases final ADA Amendments Act regulations
Hot off the press! The EEOC has released its final ADA Amendments Act regulations. You can read the press release and get a copy of the regulations here. For some prior posts at https://www.theemployerhandbook.com about the ADA, ADAAA, and the supporting regulations, click here and here.
Prepare for the new federal rules on public accommodations
On March 15, 2011, new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations will take effect governing access to state and local government facilities as well as places that are generally open to the public. To find out out whether YOU may be covered and, if so, what your obligations are, click…
Can an employer legally refuse to hire a smoker?
Keeping with this week’s smoking theme, I see that the The New York Times recently ran a story discussing how some employers are refusing to hire smokers. The article warns, ““Smokers now face another risk from their habit: it could cost them a shot at a job.” But is this…
What to do when a disabled employee requests an accommodation at work
Recently, my friend Sharlyn Lauby, owner and sole proprietor of the HR Bartender Blog invited me to weigh in on a reader question about accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The reader, who is completely deaf, began developing neck pain at work because, the way her desk was positioned,…
PA employee sleeps on the job and still collects unemployment
Hi there, Pennsylvania employers. Do you have employees that remind you of the sleeping gentleman in the picture to the right? After the jump, read about a local employee who was fired after getting caught sleeping on the job four times, and still successfully obtained unemployment compensation benefits! The case…
EEOC approves ADA Amendments Act Regulations
Bill Leonard at the Society for Human Resource Management reports that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has approved a final version of its regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, a version of which the EEOC put out for public comment back in September 2009. More after the jump.…
New Jersey: No Adverse Employment Action Required for a Failure to Accommodate Disability Claim
There are plenty of good reasons that plaintiff’s lawyers heart the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). It has a wide scope of coverage for employees with disabilities. It’s remedial purposes are incredibly broad. A plaintiff can go directly to court with a claim under the NJLAD without vetting it…
Third Circuit Employment Law 101: ADA Mixed-Motive Disparate Impact Claims
Look what just arrived in today’s mail. It’s a charge of discrimination from the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Looks like Robert Rank-And-File — the guy Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware, Inc. fired from data entry — alleges that the company terminated him because he’s disabled. I’ll show you after the jump.…
Third Circuit Employment Law 101: ADA Defenses – Direct Threat
Can an employer terminate a disabled employee because accommodating the employee would create a significant risk of substantial harm to the employee or others in the workplace? Yes. This is called the “direct threat” defense. To meet its burden, however, the employer must prove the following two elements by a…