Tag: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Religious Discrimination: New Employer Obligations on Their Way

The title is a prediction, not a done deal. But no later than June 2023, I believe the U.S. Supreme Court will jettison a 46-year-old case that neutered an employer’s obligation to reasonably accommodate all aspects of an employee’s religious observance or practice. And what will the vote be? 9-0. Read on. How Did We […]

States and Cities Limit AI Use in Employment Decision-Making

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment decision-making is on the rise, with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Charlotte Burrows stating that more than 80% of employers use this technology.

Case Study: Appeals Court Gives Tough Break to Employers on ‘Essential’ Duties

Within the last year, interesting trends have emerged from federal courts on a variety of important ADA issues. Striking somewhat of a balance, courts have tended to be more favorable to employers in deciding which functions of a job are truly “essential.” Conversely, many courts have sided with the employee regarding the sufficiency of the […]

Dogs and Horses and Reptiles, Oh My! Service Animals as Workplace Accommodations

It’s common to encounter people with service dogs when you’re out and about town, such as at the grocery store, a sports arena, or a doctor’s office. These types of businesses are considered “places of public accommodation” under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and as a general rule, they must allow […]

Interactive Process Not Triggered Until Employee Brings Up Need for Accommodation

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits covered employers from discriminating against a qualified individual with a disability. It also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. Failure to accommodate an employee when a reasonable accommodation is available is a violation of the law. But employers aren’t required to provide […]

Gender Dysphoria May Be an ADA Disability

The rights of transgender persons have become a hot button issue not only in schools and sports but in the workplace as well. Recently, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to employers in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia) weighed in on whether a transgender woman, who suffered […]