Category: Human Resources
Approval: Vice-Principals' Operations Committee
Responsibility: Associate Vice-Principal of Human Resources
Date: January 12, 2015; Policy review process began in 2021
Purpose/Reason for Policy:
This Policy and its related procedures and guidelines set standards for ensuring compliance with the University's Duty to Accommodate Disability.
Scope of this Policy:
This Policy applies to all University employees, and any applicants for employment who require an Accommodation Measure due to Disability.
Policy Statement:
The University is committed to meetings its obligations under the and the by providing a workplace that ensures full inclusion and participation of staff, faculty and job applicants with disabilities.
Responsibilities:
Employee/Applicant Requiring an Accommodation Measure
- notify the appropriate officer of the University regarding the need for an Accommodation Measure
- identify any known accommodation needs and cooperate with reasonable requests for evidence establishing accommodation needs
- cooperate with the University in the accommodation process
Officers of the University
- Accept requests for accommodation in good faith
- Deal with accommodation requests as quickly as possible
- Identify the Bona Fide Occupational Requirements of the position
- Manage the accommodation process by encouraging co-operation, dialogue, consideration of all options, monitoring and evaluation of employment accommodation solutions
- Keep a written record of the accommodation request and action taken
- Maintain confidentiality, and ensure that the institution responds to any requests for information in accordance with applicable privacy legislation (PIPEDA, PHIPA and FIPPA).
The University
- Ultimately, the Duty to Accommodate Disability is an institutional obligation as the University is the employer. Accordingly, any department/unit is obligated to facilitate an Accommodation Measure and has a duty to cooperate in that regard. The onus is on the employer to establish that it has fulfilled the Duty to Accommodate.
Human Resources Department - Return to Work & Accommodation Department
- Provide advice, guidelines, and resources related to policy interpretation and procedures for employment accommodation to faculty, staff and supervisors
- Ensure the policy is interpreted and applied to promote the University's commitment in building an inclusive community
- Ensure employment and accommodation information is available and processes established to enhance accessibility for faculty, staff and job applicants
- Assist with disability management including establishing employment Accommodation Measures for employees with Disabilities and facilitating return to work
- Request Substantiated Medical Documentation as appropriate to support the request
- Maintain confidentiality as required under this policy and ensure that accommodation requests are managed in a manner that is consistent with privacy legislation PIPEDA, PHIPA and FIPPA.
- Develop Return to Work and Accommodation Plans as outlined in the Return to Work Procedure and Individualized Disability Accommodation Procedure documents.
- Determine an employee's entitlement to participate in the Accommodation Program
- Consult with other departments as required
Union Representatives
- Facilitate any Accommodation Measures that require agreements outside of the respective collective agreement
- Participate in the development of Accommodation Measures for members and work with the employer and other members to address existing barriers
- Facilitate job placement for individuals participating in the Accommodation Program
Accommodation of Disabilities Definitions
Contact Officer:Sydney Downey, Manager, RTW & Accommodation
Date for Next Review: January, 2020
Related Policies, Procedures and Guidelines: