Can an employer fire you for a medical restriction limiting what you cando inyour job?
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Can an employer fire you for a medical restriction limiting what you cando inyour job?
If a doctor sends in a report to an employer stating that the employee has restricted abilities due to injury such as, can not lift more then 5 lbs, cannot stand for more then an hour, or can not sit for more then 10 minutes. Can the employer legally fire them in the state of AZ?
Asked on July 19, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Arizona
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Anti-discrimination law in the workplace states that an employer must make a "reasonable accomodation" to a disabled employee. A "reasonable accomodation" is one that is *not* too expensive or disruptive for the employer. So, in your case, if there are other jobs you can do, or a way you can do your current job, with having to lift more than 5 lbs, standing for more than an hour, or sitting for more than 10 minutes, and the company can have you do that job without too much cost or disruption to them, they may have to give you that job. On the other hand, if there really isn't any job you can effectively do, given your physical limitations, other qualifications (e.g. training, education), and the employer's needs, then they probably *can* fire you--they are not required to keep employing you if you can't effectively work for them.
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