Www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES The Challenge of Employment Discrimination John W. Griffin, Jr. Marek, Griffin & Knaupp, Victoria, TX Chair, ADA Board.

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

The Challenge of Employment Discrimination

John W. Griffin, Jr.Marek, Griffin & Knaupp, Victoria, TX

Chair, ADA Board of DirectorsPast Chair, ADA Legal Advocacy

Subcommittee

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

Discrimination in the Workplace

GOALS:

No one with diabetes is denied a job because that person has diabetes.

Each person with diabetes is afforded the reasonable accommodations necessary to protect his or her health on the job.

GOALS:

No one with diabetes is denied a job because that person has diabetes.

Each person with diabetes is afforded the reasonable accommodations necessary to protect his or her health on the job.

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

Blanket Bans & Diabetes

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

Blanket Bans & Diabetes

Court Security Officers

Special Agents

Foreign Service Officers

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Ending Blanket Bans

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You should be judged based on your qualifications, not your diabetes

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

Can I do any job with my diabetes?

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

Taking Care of Diabetes on the Job: Reasonable Accommodations

•Breaks to test blood glucose, take medication, and eat

•Ability to test low blood glucose whenever and wherever it occurs

•The ability to keep diabetes supplies and food nearby

•Leave for treatment, recuperation, or training on managing diabetes

•Breaks to test blood glucose, take medication, and eat

•Ability to test low blood glucose whenever and wherever it occurs

•The ability to keep diabetes supplies and food nearby

•Leave for treatment, recuperation, or training on managing diabetes

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

How do I get a reasonable accommodation?

1. Read your employee handbook – does it have any procedures you need to follow to request an accommodation?

2. Make a written request and be specific – explain exactly what accommodations you need and why they will help you do your job

3. Provide documentation from your doctor about your need for accommodations

4. Educate your employer about diabetes. Many employers are unfamiliar with diabetes and your needs on the job.

5. Negotiate the accommodations you need. Be willing to work with your employer to identify what will/will not work.

1. Read your employee handbook – does it have any procedures you need to follow to request an accommodation?

2. Make a written request and be specific – explain exactly what accommodations you need and why they will help you do your job

3. Provide documentation from your doctor about your need for accommodations

4. Educate your employer about diabetes. Many employers are unfamiliar with diabetes and your needs on the job.

5. Negotiate the accommodations you need. Be willing to work with your employer to identify what will/will not work.

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

Changing the Law

Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008

www.diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES

Where Can I Get Help?

American Diabetes Association

1-800-DIABETES www.diabetes.org/discrimination

You can speak with an ADA legal advocate who can help you with a work problem related to diabetes.