Have a Disability? What to you should know regarding accommodations in the workplace

The Washington Law Against Discrimination protects individuals from discrimination in the workplace because of disability. In Washington State, employers with eight or more employees must provide a reasonable accommodation to an employee with a disability so long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the employer.A reasonable accommodation is the modification or adjustment of the application process, interviewing process, or employment for a person with a disability. To qualify for an accommodation the employer must know about the disability or it must be shown to exist through an interactive process. The notice does not need to be in writing. However, some employers may ask for proof of a disability and a written reasonable accommodation request. The employer may request medical documentation, but only where the disability is not obviousAfter the employer is on notice that a person has a disability, the employer should initiate the process to find a reasonable accommodation for the employee. This should be an interactive process. The employer and the employee should work together to find a reasonable accommodation. If there the employer does not provide a reasonable accommodation, you may wish to file a complaintAn employer may not ask questions about the nature or severity of a disability, and during an interview may only ask if a person can perform job related functions. After making a job offer, the employer can require a medical examination, but only if all entering employees undergo the medical examination, regardless of disability and the exam is job related and consistent with business necessity