Procedure for Requesting Workplace Accommodations
CT State works to ensure that we, as an employer, provide “reasonable accommodations” to employees or applicants unless doing so would cause an “undue hardship.” The term reasonable accommodation generally refers to any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an employee to enjoy equal employment opportunities.
CT State’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights analyzes each request for accommodation on a case-by-case basis and makes a good faith effort to reasonably accommodate a qualified employee or applicant making such a request.
For workplace accommodations related to a medical condition, the individual with a qualifying condition must inform the employer that the accommodation is needed since employers are only obligated to provide reasonable accommodation for known disabilities.
Employees may request workplace accommodation through the Office of Equity and Civil Rights. To that end, we engage in an interactive process with all employees seeking reasonable workplace accommodations. Our involvement ensures a fair, independent, and confidential process whereby reasonable accommodations are explored via the interactive process. Sharing of information is limited to a need-to-know basis to ensure proper accommodations can be identified.
Once a request is made and any necessary paperwork has been provided, we meet with the employee and discuss their request for accommodation. In this process, we explore any major life activities affected, the employee’s job description, the essential functions of the position and other relevant information. Please note, at times, we may request a waiver to speak to a medical provider should additional information be needed to assist in the process. We will then meet with the supervisor to discuss only the essential functions of the position and the accommodation requested. Finally, we take the information obtained from both the employee and the supervisor and conduct an analysis to determine a reasonable accommodation. The interactive process is an ongoing and continuous process between the employer and the employee seeking the workplace accommodation.
Employees may request accommodations through their HR Generalist or directly through the new CT State Accommodate portal.