Can a typical “desk job” require that I do hard physical labor against doctor’s orders?
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Can a typical “desk job” require that I do hard physical labor against doctor’s orders?
I work for a nonprofit (15 employees). My position is one that is a “desk job” – marketing, tech support, etc. Twice a year we have 3-5 day fundraisers that are veryphysically demanding. Lots of standing, walking, lifting, etc. I have 2 herniated discs, 3 more with disc degerstions and mild scoliosis. I am a pain management patient. I get spinal injections every 3-6 months. My boss has force me to work at this event, despite explicit doctor’s orders saying that such activities are prohibited and could lead to further injury. The shift is 8-12 hours = painful beyond measure.
Asked on February 27, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Alaska
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
What you describe may be illegal. The law requires employers to make "reasonable accomodations" for employees with disabilities. A reasonable accomodation is one that is not too expensive or disruptive for an employer. If your condition would qualify as a disability, then it would seem a reasonable accomodation to either let you miss the fundraisers (possibly at a cost of not being paid for those days), which are not the core of your job anyway, or else do something else for those 6 - 10 days (for example, does somone have to stay at the office, man the phones, catch up on paperwork, etc.?).
Probably the most important issue is whethere your condition would qualify as a disability. Since there is no hard and fast answer, the best way to answer that question would be to consult with experienced employment law counsel.
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