Employee Accommodation

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Policy Number: HR 312 Policy Title: Employee Accommodation  
Supersedes Existing Policy? Y Policy Owner: Vice- President, People and Culture 
Associated Procedure: Y Date Last Approved by the CET: Date October 12, 2022 
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1. Introduction and Purpose

Loyalist College is committed to providing an accessible, working environment that is inclusive of all persons and supports all members of the Loyalist community in an equitable manner, consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code (the Code). The College will support and facilitate the accommodation of employees with disabilities so that they are able to safely access all the opportunities that the College offers. The College will work to eliminate or minimize the adverse effects of all forms of barriers.

2. Application

This policy applies to all staff directly hired by Loyalist College.

3. Definitions

Accommodation: adjusting an individual’s work environment to ensure that people with Code-related needs have equal opportunities, access and benefits. Accommodation is necessary to address barriers in society that would otherwise prevent people from fully taking part in, and contributing to, the College community.

Disability: covers a broad range and degree of conditions, some visible and some not visible. A disability may have been present from birth, caused by an accident, or developed over time. There are physical, mental and learning disabilities, mental disorders, hearing or vision disabilities, epilepsy, drug and alcohol dependencies, environmental sensitivities, and other conditions.

Undue Hardship: The Code prescribes only three considerations when assessing whether an accommodation would cause undue hardship:

  • Cost;
  • Outside sources of funding (if any); and
  • Health and safety requirements (if any).
4. Policy Statement

The College recognizes its obligation to accommodate employees based on grounds that are protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code. All employees have a right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to participate fully in employment.

The College will offer temporary or permanent accommodations to its employees, to the point of undue hardship. For more information about temporary accommodation, please refer to HR 311 Return to Work Policy.

5. Objectives

The College is committed to:

  • Ensuring compliance with all applicable legislation and College policies.
  • Ensuring that all requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis to determine accommodation requirements.
  • Ensuring that all safety measures are taken into consideration in determining appropriate accommodation.
  • Establishing an efficient and timely accommodation process that is consistent with principles of confidentiality and shared responsibility.
  • Clarifying roles and accountabilities for the accommodation process within the Loyalist community.
7. References