Separate Preference, Barrier, and Accommodation

The move: Distinguish a work preference from a job barrier and a reasonable accommodation. JAN and EEOC guidance frame accommodation as a flexible, interactive process tied to job limitations and essential functions. The useful distinction is: a preference makes work nicer, a barrier blocks reliable performance, and an accommodation changes the work environment or method so essential work can happen. Managers do not need to diagnose anyone. They do need to ask what task is affected, what condition or limitation is creating the barrier if disclosed, what options might work, and how success will be reviewed. The discipline is to…

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