Does an employer have to treat similar disabilities the same?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Does an employer have to treat similar disabilities the same?

For example, under the ADA an employer must provide a reasonable accommodation. My employer has traditionally not approved intermittent time off under the ADA that meets or exceeds the employees work schedule regardless of the disability. If time off is needed that meets or exceeds a work schedule, we refer them to a block leave of absence rather than intermittent. If 2 employees who both have similar conditions apply for leave and we approve 1 person for intermittent time that meets or exceeds their work schedule but tell the other employee we cannot do that and he/she must take a block leave of absence or adjust the intermittent time to not meet or exceed their work schedule. Are we legally vulnerable to a

lawsuit?

Asked on April 20, 2016 under Employment Labor Law, Colorado

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 8 years ago | Contributor

Yes, you do make yourself vulnerable because by granting intermittant leave to employee 1, you show that you *could* grant such leave and that doing so clearly does not present an unreasonable cost or hardship for you. You will be creating evidence that this would be a reasonable accommodation, and so would provide support for employee 2 to contend or file a claim based on that you should have done this for him/her, too.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption