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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    13

    Question How Long Can an Employer Take to Respond to a Request for Accommodation

    My question involves labor and employment law for the state of: Alabama

    I am a disabled Veteran with PTSD and work for a private company with a lot of employees. I also have mobility issues due to spinal damage and use handicapped parking.

    During email conversations with HR regarding an accommodation request for PTSD, I also asked to be moved closer to the building entrance, restrooms, and break areas, because my desk is in the opposite corner of the building (about 200 feet away). In follow up emails, HR chooses to answer some questions, but has never responded to being moved closer to the entrance. However, there have been empty cubicles available for a while.

    The EEOC site says the employer should respond to accommodation requests expeditiously. How long is too long to wait for a response?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: How Long is Too Long to Respond

    Wait. First you wanted an office with a door, and now you want a cubicle closer to the entrance?

    I'm beginning to see why HR is perhaps being less than responsive.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Posts
    13

    Default Re: How Long is Too Long to Respond

    It's difficult when you have multiple disabilities. At that point, all of the vacant offices were closer to those facilities.

    Should I have just visited each of my physicians and submitted individual accommodation requests from each? For example, have the psych doc address PTSD, and an orthopedic doc address the spine issues, each as separate requests?

    From what I read, an accommodation request can be verbal and/or in writing, but by law receive 'expeditious' responses.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: How Long is Too Long to Respond

    At this point, you'd likely be better off speaking to an attorney who can guide you further.

    We can't keep answering "but what if"s, if only because it frustrates the questioner when we cannot provide every possible permutation.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: How Long is Too Long to Respond

    Why don't you also ask for valet service to your desk? You do not seem to be asking for an accommodation, you seem to be asking for any kind of preferential treatment you can possibly force them to give you.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    6,808

    Default Re: How Long is Too Long to Respond

    I agree. You are asking for a lot more than REASONABLE accommodations. Employers do not have to honor accommodation requests that are costly (and they did invest money in your extra high cubicle and your door to the cubicle).

    You also want a special parking spot? They don't have to do anything more than letting you park in a handicapped spot.

    As much as I hate answers that say "you need counseling" - you really do. You need a different shrink even.

    I'm sorry for your plight. As the other folks here will tell you, I have a back injury of my own. I am also 70% hearing impaired in both ears. My mom has had 3 failed hip surgeries that leaves her permanently and completely disabled. We both learned immediately to "suck it up, buttercup" because we are both stubborn and independent women. I'm the tallest at 5'0" and a Size 3-5.

    Your requests should always be submitted in writing, not verbally. Verbal makes it a "I said/they said" thing that both parties will dispute. In writing is always the best.

    That said...again....REASONABLE accommodations. If you can't walk 200 feet...you need your doc to prescribe more physical therapy. And you need to consider....Social Security Disability vs A Job. Because the job market really sucks, so be grateful you have a job. And you will get less money on SSD. Since you are obviously at a desk job...and can perform the work, SSD is going to be a very long uphill battle. I've been denied 4 times now because of my age (41) and because "You can still type" - that's nice, but I have only a very part time (4 hours every other week), and I've been pounding the pavement for 7 years - and I mean, I put over 8000 miles on my car in just job seeking alone in 1 tax year. So seriously, unless you want to lose your job...keep your request for accommodations within reason. I mean, even part-time jobs can have more than 100 applicants....so be grateful you have a job.

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