Question

Discrimination Based on Disability. Cynthia Horn worked for Knight Facilities Management–GM, Inc., in Detroit, Michigan, as a janitor. When Horn developed a sensitivity to cleaning products, her physician gave her a “no exposure to cleaning solutions” restriction. Knight discussed possible accommodations with Horn. She suggested that restrooms be eliminated from her cleaning route or that she be provided with a respirator. Knight explained that she would be exposed to cleaning solutions in any situation and concluded that there was no work available within her physician’s restriction. Has Knight violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide Horn with the requested accommodations? Explain.

Answer 1

The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities unless it causes undue hardship. If Knight failed to provide any alternatives and the requested accommodations did not pose an undue hardship, then they may be violating the ADA.

Step-by-step explanation:

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. In the case of Cynthia Horn, her employer, Knight, argued that there was no work available within her physician’s restriction, which suggests that they found that accommodating her disability by eliminating restrooms from her cleaning route or providing a respirator would impose an undue hardship on their operations. However, if such accommodations did not pose an undue hardship, and the employer failed to provide any alternative solutions, Knight may violate the ADA for not making those reasonable accommodations.