When can employers be excused from providing reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities?

Employers can be excused from providing reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities when doing so would cause undue hardship. Undue hardship refers to significant difficulty or expense relative to the size, resources, nature, or structure of the employer. This concept recognizes that while employers are obligated to make reasonable accommodations, there are limits based on their capabilities and circumstances. Each case is evaluated on a case-by-case basis; if an accommodation would require substantial financial costs or would be excessively disruptive to the workplace, the employer may not be required to provide it.

The focus is on balancing the needs of the employee with the practical realities and constraints faced by the employer. Therefore, it’s important for employers to assess not just the potential benefits of an accommodation for the employee but also the impact on their operations and resources.