Twenty-three percent of employers are not sure of how to handle disability absences and or accommodate disabled employees, according to a report by the Standard. Only 37% of employers have worked with their disability insurance carrier to find employee accommodations. Based on a series of case studies, the report found that employers make these common mistakes when it comes to employee disability issues:
• Strictly enforcing policies
• Believing that employee accommodations are too expensive
• Not considering new approaches
• Devaluing an aging workforce
• Not asking for help
The authors note that mishandling or refusing reasonable accommodations can result in a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or even a lawsuit for failing to accommodate a disabled employee. For more information, visit www.workplacepossibilities.com.
