As a general rule, Florida companies are required to provide disabled workers with reasonable workplace accommodations. For example, an employer might allow an individual to work a modified schedule in an effort to help that person be a productive member of an organization. There are many ways in which a company may alter a work schedule to meet an employee’s needs.
A disabled employee may be given additional break periods
Typically, employees are entitled to at least one paid break period during the course of their workdays. They may also be entitled to an unpaid lunch break of 30 minutes at some point toward the middle of their shifts. An employer may decide to provide a disabled employee with an extra break period or an extended lunch period.
Disabled employees may be allowed to work on a part-time basis
An employee who becomes disabled after joining a company may be converted from a full-time worker to a part-time worker. Alternatively, a disabled individual who applies for a full-time position may be granted the opportunity to work fewer than 40 hours per week.
As this would be considered a reasonable workplace accommodation, this could be done without an obligation to offer this option to other workers. A company may also allow someone who has a documented health ailment to use vacation time or take unpaid leave as necessary.
Accommodations cannot create an undue hardship
It’s important to note than an employee is not entitled to any accommodations that would create an undue hardship on his or her employer. Your disability discrimination attorney may be able to provide more insight into what the law might classify as an undue burden.
If you have a mental or physical disability, you may be entitled to reasonable workplace accommodations. If you don’t receive those accommodations, you may have grounds to take legal action. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages or other damages in the event that your claim is successful.
