While marking the 31st anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act last week, President Biden stated that long haul COVID symptoms could fall under the protections of the Act. At the same time, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice released ADA and long-haul symptom guidance.
What does this mean for your workforce? Certainly, COVID long haul symptoms are a new issue but using the procedures and knowledge you already have in place to deal with disabilities is all you need to do.
Need an ADA refresher?
- Regardless of what it is called, a disability under the ADA must be a “physical or mental impairment that “substantially limits” on or more major life activities.
- If an employee approaches you or you are aware of work issues related to long term COVID symptoms, engage in the interactive dialogue. Again, engage in the interactive dialogue.
- Can a reasonable accommodation be made or would it cause an undue hardship?
- You can request medical documentation which will help inform the restrictions and accommodation
- Document, document, document.
Questions? We can help.