Workplace accommodation
Medical accommodation
A medical accommodation is a measure to assist an individual who has demonstrated medical limitations resulting in a reduced ability to perform or fulfill the substantive duties of a job. A medical accommodation could include:
- work site and job modification
- change in the way a task is done
- change in routine or work schedule
- acquisition of equipment and/or tools
If you require a medical accommodation for your job, the first step is to alert your supervisor or manager. If you are uncomfortable discussing the issue with your manager, you may speak directly with your work life consultant, and should involve your union representative.
Appropriate medical documentation is required to support your request for accommodation.
Request a medical accommodation
Prior to making a formal request for accommodation, talk with your supervisor to resolve the matter at the departmental level. If this is not easily resolved, submit a request-for-medical-accommodation form to your supervisor.
Your supervisor will review current job duties and implement workplace modifications. If they do not work and you require further accommodation, your work life consultant (WLC) will request for you to complete a Physician's Certificate to ascertain your functional limitations. Your supervisor will use this to create a simple accommodation plan, involving the WLC as needed.
If equipment is required and approved for purchase as a result of a medical accommodation, your supervisor will arrange next steps (i.e. desk order, request of loaner desk (4-6 weeks), FMGT follow-ups). Supervisor will also arrange annual accommodation reviews to follow-up.
Guide & service animals on campus
In addition to adhering to the regulations of the , the university is committed to its statutory responsibility under the BC Human Rights Code to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities. This includes students and employees requiring guide dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs or emotional support animals to support them in their daily living.
HR work life consultants support employees through processes related to guide and service animals.
The university's buildings and grounds usage policy (BP3105) has been clarified to clearly state that this policy does not apply to animals permitted by the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act to be on the university grounds or in university buildings.
All requests from individuals who require an animal to assist with a disability, not covered by the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, will be reviewed and documented in accordance with policy AC1205 (Academic Accommodation and Access for Students with Disabilities) and/or policy HR6115 (Employment Accommodation).
Students and employees are responsible for ensuring that their guide dogs and service dogs are certified (including renewals) in conformity with the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act and .
While on campus, handlers of animals permitted by law, such as emotional support animals and Guide Dogs and Service Dogs, are expected to:
- have control of the animal, including ensuring the animal is appropriately restrained such as wearing a harness or leash
- ensure the animal is housebroken; the handler is responsible for cleaning up after it
- ensure the animal is clean, free of fleas, in good health, vaccinated and has any required municipal animal license
- ensure their animal is non-disruptive and not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others
Students with concerns about the presence of an animal on university grounds or in university buildings may contact the Centre for Accessible Learning for advice and information.
Employees with concerns about the presence of an animal on university grounds or in university buildings should review these concerns with their immediate supervisor. Human Resources will assist employees and their supervisors as appropriate.
Adaptive equipment
You may require adaptive equipment as part of a medical accommodation. To be included in the accommodation plan, the adaptive equipment must be medically required and not a preference or preventive. It is important that the implementation of the equipment is in line with your treating health practitioner's recommendations.
Sit-stand desks
A sit-stand desk is just one way to avoid sitting for long periods at a time and counter the negative impact it has on our bodies. It shouldn’t be considered a ‘fix all’ for obtaining adequate physical movement over the course of the day and should be supplemented with a healthy lifestyle and other strategies for sitting less.
Sit-stand workstations can in some instances aggravate existing injuries/medical conditions or present a risk for new injury. For example lower back, knee and ankle injuries as well as conditions such as arthritis can be aggravated by increased standing. It is important that the implementation of a sit-stand desk is in line with your treating health practitioner's recommendations.