Can my employer demand I provide 10 million dollars in liability insurance before allowing my service dog to work alongside me?
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Can my employer demand I provide 10 million dollars in liability insurance before allowing my service dog to work alongside me?
I am a school bus driver. I have a service dog
in training. I have asked that my employer
allow me and professional trainers access to
the buses I work on during my off hours in
order to train my service dog to work safely and
effectively alongside me. My employer is
asking that I sign a waiver to waive their liability
to insure against harm to and by the animal.
Also they are asking that I pay for and provide
proof of up to 10 million dollars in liability
insurance in case the dog causes harm to any
person while on my route. Is this legal?
Asked on October 25, 2018 under Employment Labor Law, Minnesota
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
They may ask for the waiver, because that is reasonable: there is no reason they should face potential liability for your dog. They may also ask for a reasonable amount of insurance to further protect them, but $10mm is an unreasonable amount: employers may not be unreasonable regarding employee disabilities or medical/psychological issues. If they will not reduce their insurance demand to something reasonable, contact the EEOC since this may amount to illegal workplace disability discrimination or harassment.
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