Reasonable Accommodation Doesn't Seem So Reasonable

[DogMom731]

I have a hard time explaining my reasons for my anxiety sometimes. I don't think they understand just how much of my attention is focused on who or what is going on in the room instead of on what I'm supposed to be doing, or just how bad my startle reflex gets when I'm anxious.

This makes me wonder....would it help for your employed to specifically quantify your productivity WITH the accommodation versus without it. In this instance I'm honesty unsure of what they are/are not required to do legally. What I mean though is that.....if your productivity is lessened, based on what you say about your focus being more on hyper-vigilance (paraphrasing what you said, if I may?) than on the task at hand; then, could you demonstrate somehow that when they provide a reasonable accommodation that your productivity is heightened in comparison to when you don't have the accommodation?

Maybe a two week trial period or so? Something along the lines of, "I would like you to use the quality control procedures already in place within this company to document the effectiveness of (insert their proposed accommodation here) for a two week time period. If the changes are not acceptable, I would like to do this with (insert your proposed reasonable accommodation here) and see what happens."

My thought process is that, obviously, their motivation as a company is profit, grow the business, efficiency, etc. (ok; I'm assuming based on "common sense"). Anyway, can you switch their view point a little - show them how it would benefit THEM/THEIR COMPANY versus you as an individual.

No, legally you don't have to do this, I believe. But, if done in a responsible, honest (non manipulative or dishonest) manner...could it turn the tables in your favor?

I've had to present things to employers like this before. Not fun and I *shouldn't* have to do this....but sometimes it has made the difference to the employer's receptiveness.

Again, as I said before; Good Luck!!!!

 

[VT86]

Dog Mom-There really is no way to measure my productivity with an accommodation vs. without with this particular task. The samples have to be processed within a certain time frame depending on the clients wishes, and there are a set number of samples. For example a sample may need to be taken from 12 subjects at set times such as 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours post administration of whatever is being tested. Either they are processed on time or they aren't. So it doesn't matter to them if it takes me three times as long to do it as long as it is done within the time frame required by the client. I've been lucky so far and never missed that time frame. I'm not sure if any of that makes sense. I'm sorry if it doesn't.

I also worry that due lack of concentration on the samples that I may inadvertently mix up two samples and not notice it. I've almost done it a couple of times and caught the mistake. The samples have ID's that are very similar (it's not a system that can be changed due to regulations) and it's quite easy to do. I've seen it happen more than once when someone wasn't paying attention closely.

I'm going to bring everything up with my manager tomorrow. I really don't want any mistakes that I may make to reflect badly on them or myself.

 

[DogMom731]

VT86, Ok. I hear where you are coming from. I was hoping my suggestion might be helpful but I can see where it clearly would not work in your individual situation.

Good luck with your manager tomorrow and please keep us updated with your progress in this situation!

 

[VT86]

I figured I would give everyone an update. I gave the accommodation they wanted a try. It failed miserably and I ended up having a pretty bad panic attack. I had a meeting this afternoon with my manager, the director of my department and his boss.

They all agreed that it was just not worth it to keep trying that accommodation, and thought that it would be best to remove that as one of my duties since the job is such a marginal one. My directors boss said that next time just come directly to him if I needed something. He said that it the last thing he wanted was me dreading coming to work or having panic attacks over something that can be easily reassigned. They were all surprisingly supportive considering the attitude about it on Monday. I don't know what has changed in five days, but I'm not going to question it.