What Disability Acts Protect Me in the Workplace?

If you are an employee with a disability, then you must understand that there are laws in place that protect you from any form of discrimination in the workplace. Read on to discover what disability acts protect you in the workplace and how a seasoned employment discrimination attorney in Gloucester County, NJ can help you attain reasonable accommodations.

What are the different disability acts?

Primarily, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination based on disability. This act is meant to protect those with physical and/or mental disabilities. This includes individuals with diseases, disfigurement, or mobility issues, along with individuals with mental disabilities that require special education or relevant services. The ADA is also meant to apply to many public settings, such as housing, education, and goods and services offered to the general public. But most notably, it applies to the workplace.

In addition, there is the NJ Law Against Discrimination. This law states that individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities have the right to obtain employment without being discriminated against or harassed.

What reasonable accommodations should an employer offer an employee with a disability?

Further, the ADA also orders covered employers to provide reasonable accommodations for their employees with disabilities.

And so, if you believe that you are fully able to perform all of the important aspects of your job, but may need a reasonable accommodation for a less important aspect, then your employer should offer it to you. Such reasonable accommodations go beyond simply installing handicap ramps throughout your workplace. Additional examples are as follows:

• They may reasonably offer an extended leave of absence so that you can attend to your disability.
• They may reasonably offer a modified work schedule so that you can attend to your disability.
• They may reasonably offer a modified job description so that you can perform all the important aspects of your job.
• They may reasonably provide tools and equipment so that you can perform all the important aspects of your job.
• They may reasonably offer a modified employee policy that you can perform all the important aspects of your job.

With that being said, if you are not being provided with the reasonable accommodation that you deserve, or if your employer is otherwise violating any disability protection that you have been afforded, then you must seek legal representation from one of the competent New Jersey employment lawyers.

We have dealt with numerous cases just like yours, and we believe that we can help you attain the financial compensation and justice that you rightfully deserve. Give us a call today.