July 2, 2009

Finding ‘accommodation’ at work

In order to create an inclusive workplace, UPMC is committed to removing barriers to the employment of individuals with disabilities. This commitment includes the creation of a uniform process to enable employees and applicants for employment to request “reasonable accommodations.” A reasonable accommodation is an adjustment or change in conditions of employment that enables a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of his or her job. Both federal and state laws require employers to provide reasonable accommodations.

UPMC Work Partners is the central point for handling issues related to leaves of absence, workers’ compensation, and disability claims management. Since July of 2008, UPMC Work Partners also has served UPMC employees and candidates for employment by handling requests for reasonable accommodations. The centralization of this process allows UPMC to consistently follow the best practices in evaluating, funding, tracking, and reporting on requests for accommodations. 

Any employee who believes he or she needs an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of a job or complete the employment application process should make a request for accommodation. The request can be made directly to any business unit human resources representative, to a manager or supervisor in the employee’s chain of command, or directly to UPMC Work Partners. 

UPMC Work Partners is here for you. For more information, call Work Partners at 412-473-6974.

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