3.035 - Reasonable Accommodation (ADA)

Effective Date: 01/01/2020

3.035-POL

The Department will accommodate employees in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Washington Law Against Discrimination, RCW 49.60.

1. Employees Request a Reasonable Accommodation

Employees may give an oral or written request for a reasonable accommodation to a supervisor or the Human Resources Section.  The reasonable accommodation process begins when the request is made.

If the request is made orally to a supervisor, the supervisor or employee will complete a written request and forward the request to the Human Resources Section as soon as practical. (Also see: Seattle Department of Human Resources, ADA Resource Guide and Procedures for Providing Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals With Disabilities

The written request will include:

- Identification and a brief history of the employee’s disability, and

- A description of the accommodation(s) that the employee is seeking

The Human Resources Section will contact the requesting employee to enable the Department and employee to engage in an interactive dialogue regarding the accommodation request. The employee will be responsible for providing relevant documentation, including a treating physician’s report describing the disability and the accommodation(s) required.

2. The Department Will Not Require Employees to Disclose their Religious Affiliation or Beliefs

Exception: Unless disclosing for the purposes of providing religious accommodations at the request of the employee

3. Department Personnel Will Not Disclose the Religious Affiliations of Another Employee

Exception: Unless the individual employee expressly consents to the disclosure of their religious affiliation, and has knowledge of the purpose for the disclosure.