| Steps to take to prepare
for new ADA amendments
HR professionals should take a number of steps to prepare for the ADAAA,
experts say. These steps include:
• Providing ADA training to supervisors and managers. Training
should remind managers of their duty to accommodate not only employees
with disabilities but also applicants with disabilities.
• Reviewing the interactive accommodation process. The informal
discussion with employees about accommodations shouldn't be stilted
and should reflect an employer's understanding of its need to be flexible,
within reason and without sacrificing consistency. But the process shouldn't
be ad hoc either. It should be well documented and overseen by HR.
• Re-evaluating policies to make sure that they comply, especially
in the application and interactive processes.
• Making sure that job descriptions accurately describe what employers
believe are the essential functions of the position.
• Developing internal protocols on how to approach situations.
Internal protocols can help ensure consistent treatment and avoid other
EEO claims of disparate treatment.
• Developing tools, forms, letters and processes to handle accommodation
requests.
Express Request: SHRM members can receive additional resources
on the ADA Amendments Act. Visit SHRM’s Express
Request service and select the key term ADA AMENDMENTS ACT.
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