Reasonable Accommodation for a Disability

Employees in California have strong legal protections when it comes to disabilities and medical conditions. Under state law, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations that allow qualified employees to perform their job duties—unless doing so would cause undue hardship.

At Jonny Law, we represent employees whose employers refuse, delay, or mishandle accommodation requests in violation of California law.

What Is a Reasonable Accommodation?

A reasonable accommodation is a change or adjustment to the workplace, job duties, or work environment that enables an employee with a disability or medical condition to perform essential job functions.

Examples of reasonable accommodations may include:

• Modified work schedules

• Remote or hybrid work options

• Light duty or modified job responsibilities

• Additional breaks or rest periods

• Ergonomic equipment or assistive devices

• Temporary medical leave

• Reassignment to a vacant position

Accommodations must be evaluated case by case and cannot be dismissed automatically.

California Law Provides Broad Protection

California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) provides broader protection than federal law. Employees are protected if they have:

• Physical or mental disabilities

• Chronic health conditions

• Pregnancy-related conditions

• Temporary injuries

• Anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions

• Medical conditions requiring treatment or recovery time

The law applies to employers with 5 or more employees in California.

The Employer’s Legal Obligations

Once an employer knows—or should reasonably know—about the need for accommodation, they must:

• Engage in a good-faith interactive process

• Consider reasonable accommodation options

• Request only necessary medical documentation

• Avoid retaliation or discipline related to the request

• Reassess accommodations if circumstances change

An employer cannot simply claim inconvenience or cost without proper analysis.

Common Violations Involving Reasonable Accommodation

Employers may violate the law when they:

• Deny accommodations without discussion

• Ignore or delay accommodation requests

• Terminate employees instead of accommodating them

• Demand excessive medical records

• Force unpaid leave when other accommodations are available

• Retaliate against employees for requesting accommodations

These actions may support claims for disability discrimination and failure to accommodate.

Is an Employer Allowed to Deny an Accommodation?

An employer may only deny a requested accommodation if it can prove it would cause an undue hardship, meaning significant difficulty or expense when considering:

• Employer size and resources

• Nature of the business

• Cost and feasibility of the accommodation

Even then, the employer must still explore alternative accommodations.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Employees who experience accommodation violations may be entitled to:

• Lost wages and benefits

• Emotional distress damages

• Attorney’s fees and legal costs

• Reinstatement or workplace changes

• Settlement or court-awarded compensation

Each case depends on the specific facts, but California law strongly favors employee protections.

How Jonny Law Can Help

At Jonny Law, we help employees navigate complex accommodation disputes and hold employers accountable when they break the law.

We can:

• Review your accommodation request and employer response

• Determine whether your rights were violated

• Communicate with your employer or their attorneys

• Pursue compensation through negotiation or litigation