Is information regarding an accommodation request allowed to be disclosed to coworkers?
No. The employer may not disclose that an individual is receiving a reasonable accommodation. The ADA/Rehabilitation Act specifically prohibits the disclosure of medical information except in certain limited situations, which do not include disclosure to coworker. An employer may certainly respond to a question from an employee about why a coworker is receiving what is perceived as “special” or “different” treatment by emphasizing its policy of assistant any employee who encounters difficulties in the workplace. The employer may also find it helpful to point out that many of the workplace issues encountered by employees are personal, and that, in these circumstances, it is the employer’s policy to respect employee privacy. Finally as long as there is no coercion by an employer, an employee with a disability may voluntarily choose to disclose to coworkers his/her disability and/or the fact that s/he is receiving a reasonable accommodation.
