If a union is involved, who shares responsibility for accommodation?

If a union is involved, who shares responsibility for accommodation?

• A. The union must lead the accommodation
• B. The employer alone handles accommodations
• C. The employee alone handles accommodations
• D. The union shares joint responsibility with the employer

Answer: (D)

The duty to accommodate in a unionized workplace is a joint effort between the employer and the union representing the employee. The employer has the primary obligation to implement reasonable accommodations and to ensure they don’t cause undue hardship, but the union plays a critical role in the interactive process—representing the employee, communicating needs, helping identify feasible accommodations within the collective agreement, and supporting the employee through implementation. The employee contributes information and participates in decisions as well. This collaborative approach helps ensure accommodations are effective, respect the collective agreement, and protect the employee’s rights.

The duty to accommodate in a unionized workplace is a joint effort between the employer and the union representing the employee. The employer has the primary obligation to implement reasonable accommodations and to ensure they don’t cause undue hardship, but the union plays a critical role in the interactive process—representing the employee, communicating needs, helping identify feasible accommodations within the collective agreement, and supporting the employee through implementation. The employee contributes information and participates in decisions as well. This collaborative approach helps ensure accommodations are effective, respect the collective agreement, and protect the employee’s rights.