Requesting Accommodations
How to request or respond to an accommodation will vary depending on your relationship with OSU.
Employees
Request a Workplace Accommodation
EOA will work with the employee, supervisor, and potentially other appropriate administrative units to determine whether or not a reasonable accommodation can be made. Employees can disclose to a supervisor, but in the vast majority of accommodation requests EOA manages the process.
Job Applicants
To request an accommodation in any aspect of the recruitment and selection process, job applicants or prospective job applicants may contact EOA, the search committee chair, or hiring unit listed on the job posting.
Complaint Procedures
EOA is responsible for overseeing compliance with regard to state and federal regulations that prohibit discrimination on the basis of a protected status. Complaints of discrimination or of wrongful accommodation denial may be filed with EOA.
Interactive Process
When an accommodation is not obvious and more information is needed, EOA uses an interactive process. The interactive process is simply back and forth communication with the employee, supervisor, medical providers when necessary, and EOA to come up with accommodations. The process usually involves:
- EOA analysis of the position description and determination of essential functions with the employee and supervisor.
- Consultation with the employee to determine precise job-related barriers or limitations, and how they could be removed with an accommodation to enable the employee to perform essential functions (sometimes this also includes gathering medical provider feedback).
- Continual conversation as needed with all involved until an accommodation has been found that is most appropriate for both the employee and employer. Occasionally no reasonable accommodation is found or an alternative outcome is provided.
- During an initial meeting, the EOA Accommodation Associate will talk through the process with the employee. Employees always have the choice to stop the process before disclosing to a supervisor. The EOA accommodation process is voluntary.
Confidentiality
EOA will keep any medical information obtained confidential, and will only discuss impacts with others on a strict need-to-know basis. Supervisors who learn this information whether directly from the employee or from EOA, are also expected to keep information confidential and shared only with EOA.