Can I request medical information to verify an employees request for accommodation?
Yes. The ADA allows, and the EEOC recognizes the occasional need for, an employer to request medical information related to an employee’s disability. Instead of asking for a diagnosis or prognosis and trying to interpret what type of accommodation is needed, it is recommended that you work with your employee to provide his/her doctor with information about the job. A copy of the job description is very helpful for this purpose. Ask that the doctor identify any restrictions the employee may have in performing the job duties. Also ask the doctor to identify possible accommodations to enable the employee to perform the essential functions of the job. If the employee’s doctor is unable or unwilling to provide you with this information, you may, at the employer’s expense, send the employee for an independent medical examination.
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