What You Need to Know About Reasonable Accommodation in Georgia
Georgia requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees. Here’s what you need to know about reasonable accommodation in Georgia.
Employers must provide reasonable disability and religious accommodations to employees. Employees must follow specific steps before receiving reasonable accommodations.
Reasonable Accommodations in Georgia
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination based on an employee’s disability. As such, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to ensure an employee’s ability to overcome workplace barriers due to a disability.
The ADA states that a disability is any health condition that substantially impairs a person from performing one or more major life functions. The act considers a person qualified for a job if they meet the skill, education, experience, or other job requirements and can perform the job’s essential functions.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on an employee’s religion or religious practices. As such, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for employees with religious beliefs and practices.
A reasonable accommodation is a practical change to some aspect of the job that does not cause undue hardship to the employer.
Related: Tipped Employee Rights in Georgia
Applying for a Reasonable Disability Accommodation in Georgia
An employee begins a reasonable disability accommodation in Georgia by notifying their employer of the needed accommodation. This request does not need to be in writing, but the state encourages employees to submit the request this way.
The employer will then determine if they need additional medical documentation from the employee. If necessary, the employee will obtain and provide the necessary medical documents.
The employer and employee will meet to discuss the appropriate disability accommodation and how the employer will implement the accommodation. The employee can provide feedback on this implementation if needed.
Applying for a Reasonable Religious Accommodation in Georgia
An employee brings a reasonable religious disability accommodation in Georgia by notifying their employer of the needed accommodation. This request does not need to be in writing, but the state encourages employees to submit the request this way.
The employer will then determine if they need supporting documentation from the employee. If necessary, the employee will obtain and provide the necessary supporting documentation.
The employer and employee will meet to discuss the appropriate religious accommodation and how the employer will implement the accommodation. The employee can provide feedback on this implementation if needed.
Reasonable Accommodations for Mental Health in Georgia
It is illegal for a Georgia employer to discriminate against an employee who suffers from a mental health condition.
Georgia requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees suffering from mental health issues if their mental health issues affect the employee’s ability to perform one or more major life functions.
The reasonable accommodations are the same as disability mental health accommodations. Employees can apply for a mental health reasonable accommodation using the same process as a disability reasonable accommodation request.
Related: Can I Sue My Employer For Paying Me Late in Georgia?
Filing a Reasonable Accommodation Complaint in Georgia
If employees believe their employer discriminates against them, they can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The employee must file this complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory event.
The EEOC will investigate the complaint and determine whether the employer discriminated against the employee or not.
An employer may not retaliate against an employee for filing a complaint with the EEOC.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about Reasonable Accommodation Georgia, get your free consultation with one of our Employment Attorneys in Georgia today!