Employment

Employees who are qualified individuals with a disability have a right not to have adverse job action taken because of their disability. Adverse job action includes demotion and termination. The right not to be discriminated against in employment is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act and state law.

These laws also require covered employers to reasonably accommodate a disability, engage in an interactive process about the need for a reasonable accommodation, and limit medical inquiries in hiring. Both state and federal law require that an employee first file a complaint with the Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Commission, usually within 180 days, but in some circumstances extended. Failure to file a timely complaint will result in dismissal of your complaint and inability to file a lawsuit.

Employment Discrimination

Employment can help promote recovery. Employment services are part of recovery planning. It is essential that persons in recovery understand their legal rights in all phases of the employment process. State and federal laws protect qualified persons with a disability from discrimination in the workplace. You have a right not to be discriminated against because of your disability ... [ more ]

Deciding Whether to Disclose a Disability

Persons with disabilities are not required to disclose their disability to a prospective employer, and the employer is prohibited from asking about a disability. The decision belongs to the individual and not anyone assisting him or her. Usually it is not a good idea to disclose, unless ... [ more ]

Preparing for an Interview

It is important to decide before the interview whether you plan to disclose your disability. Even if you do decide to disclose, you still control the information to be disclosed. An employer is prohibited from inquiring about the nature and extent of the disability more than is necessary to establish the existence of a disability and the need for a reasonable accommodation ... [ more ]

Reasonable Accommodations

In order to get an accommodation, the disability must be disclosed. In most instances involving an "invisible" disability such as a mental health condition, the employer may request documentation of the disability. Most often, this is a letter from a doctor verifying the disability. [ more ]

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