Some people are born with unique medical challenges. Others may acquire disabling medical conditions due to illness or accidents. Those coping with disabling medical conditions often need the support of their faith as well as proper medical care.
People who have acclimated to life with a disabling medical condition may seek the same self-actualization and independence as anyone else. Individuals with disabling medical conditions shouldn’t have to worry about businesses discriminating against them because of their medical challenges. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happens to some professionals with medical challenges. They may have to fight back against employer misconduct to protect not only themselves but also other employees.
What are some of the most common ways that disability discrimination affects employees?
1. Companies don’t hire or promote workers with medical challenges
Sometimes, a qualified professional may receive a job offer, only to lose their position when they show up to sign paperwork or begin their training. Companies may retract offers of employment after learning about a candidate’s disabling medical condition.
Other times, the company may hire workers but may not earnestly consider them for any significant advancement opportunities. A worker’s medical condition should not affect their employment opportunities if they can perform the mandatory job requirements.
2. Businesses refuse to provide accommodations
Often, disabling medical conditions impact job performance or worker safety. Professionals may need certain types of support to do their jobs well. Accommodations could include changing the functions an employee performs, providing them with assistive technology or making spaces more accessible for those with mobility challenges.
Typically, any business with 15 or more employees should provide reasonable accommodations when deemed necessary by a medical professional. Many companies discriminate by refusing to provide the support that allows workers to do their jobs safely and well.
3. Employers may ignore workplace hostilities
Discrimination can be the result of organizational apathy instead of intentional choices. Sometimes, employers ignore complaints of hostile work environments.
They effectively allow people to abuse, harass and mistreat an employee because of their disabling medical condition by remaining passive. In scenarios where organizations do not properly respond to complaints of a hostile work environment, the failure to act could be a form of discrimination.
Recognizing and fighting back against workplace disability discrimination can be difficult. However, workers with the faith and courage to hold their employers accountable may change a company’s culture and help diminish harm from the misconduct of others.