Greater Riverside EAC | Interaction Accommodations Process

Business owners, employee benefits managers/staff, human resources managers/staff, industrial relations managers and other managers/supervisors are encouraged to join partner Amber Solano for an in-depth discussion of the interaction accommodations process.

An employer is not excused from its obligations to engage in the interactive process when a workplace injury qualifies as a disability under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). When the employer receives notice that an employee experienced a workplace injury, the employer should determine if the employee is disabled within the meaning of the ADA and/or the FEHA. If the employee is disabled within the meaning of the ADA and/or FEHA, then the employer should engage in the interactive process to determine whether there are any reasonable accommodations that will assist the employee with performing the essential functions of the position.

Workers compensation laws are different in the purpose and scope from the ADA and the FEHA. Workers' compensation laws may utilize different standards for evaluating whether an individual has a "disability" or is capable of working further, under Workers' compensation laws, the process for determining whether an employee may continue to work or return to work differs from the employer's obligations under the ADA and the FEHA to engage in the interactive process. Under the FEHA and ADA, an employer must initiate the interactive process once the employer knows what an employee has a disability.

Ms. Solano counsels clients on a variety of employment issues, including employee discipline, wage and hour compliance, and adherence to federal and state family and medical leave laws. She regularly drafts employment agreements, employee pay plans, proprietary information agreements, employee handbooks, and other personnel policies. 

Agenda

7:45 a.m.: Check-in and networking
8:00 a.m.: Welcome and introductions
8:15 a.m.: Training Seminar begins
9:45 a.m.: Question and answer session/closing remarks
10:00 a.m.: raffle drawing