Your Disability Rights

Massachusetts and federal laws prohibit an employer from discriminating based on an employee’s disability. Once an employer is aware that an individual has an impairment that restricts the ability of an employee to perform an essential function of their position, they are required to have a conversation with the employee to determine whether there are any reasonable accommodations it can offer the employee that will allow them perform their job. Although the employer is not required to provide an employee with an accommodation that will cause it an “undue burden,” in many instances the employer can be required to give accommodations, such as:

• Job restructuring
• Modified work schedules and flexible leave policies
• Modification or purchase of equipment and devices
• Modification of the physical worksite
• Reassignment to a vacant position or light duty
• Training
• Modification of company policies to address the specific disability