Workplaces often rely on unspoken rules, shifting expectations and informal feedback. For many employees, those patterns may be manageable, but for others, they can create real barriers. Autistic individuals, in particular, may experience challenges when communication...
Maloney O'Laughlin PLLC fights for employees throughout Washington, from Seattle to Spokane.
Disability Discrimination And Accommodation
Bathroom access issues may constitute disability discrimination
Disability discrimination can manifest as lost opportunities or a hostile work environment. Other times, companies may discriminate against workers by refusing to accommodate their medical needs. Accommodations should be reasonable and necessary. Some of them are...
Identifying 4 common forms of workplace discrimination
Workplace discrimination is a significant problem that can negatively affect an employee’s well-being and performance. If their employer does not take measures that can address the issue, it can worsen and transform their organization into a hostile environment. Here...
Has an employer made seeking reasonable accommodations too hard?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) generally protects the right to request reasonable accommodations in the workplace. Provided that a worker can perform job functions with certain accommodations, their employers should not consider their need for support when...
How job descriptions can block disability accommodations
When you request a disability accommodation, you may expect a conversation about what you need to fulfill your job. Instead, your employer may use your job description as a way to deny it. In Washington, that approach can be misleading. While job descriptions are an...
When can Washington employees request disability accommodations?
State and federal laws protect workers from various forms of discrimination. At the federal level, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes the right for workers to request disability accommodations from their employers. The Washington State Law Against...
4 subtle signs of disability discrimination at work
Many people with disabilities face barriers at work. These barriers can be difficult to overcome for employees who have physical or cognitive disabilities. Businesses often must make accommodations for employees with disabilities. However, not all businesses are...
Can your boss demand details about your medical condition?
When you ask for an accommodation at work, you might wonder how much you need to share about your health. While your employer has a right to understand how your condition affects your job, they cannot demand full medical details. In Washington, privacy laws and...
What are “reasonable” accommodations?
When a worker has a disability, employers are required to make reasonable accommodations to allow that employee to continue performing their job. Discriminating on the basis of disability is illegal because disability is a protected class, along with things like...
AI bias and possible disability barriers in Washington hiring
You look for fair access when starting a job search. Yet a growing number of employers may use automated tools that can influence your chances before you meet a person. A résumé filter might determine who advances. A video system could score voice or gaze in ways you...