Accommodating Employees with Episodic Disabilities: A guide to dealing with recurring health conditions

Some of the most prevalent disabilities in Canada, including mental illness, arthritis, HIV, and some types of cancer, can be characterized as episodic disabilities, which are defined as disabilities involving periods of good health alternating with periods of illness or disability. The accommodation of employees with episodic disabilities presents special challenges, such as maintaining contact between an employer and employee during prolonged absences and determining when it's appropriate for an employee to work and when it's appropriate for an employee to take time off. Attendees at this workshop will learn strategies for accommodating employees with episodic disabilities that comply with the requirements of human rights legislation.

Participants will leave the session with the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• Appreciate the difference between the challenges faced by employees with episodic disabilities and those faced by employees who have non-recurring disabilities.
• Identify insurance options and arrangements with insurance companies for the support of employees with episodic disabilities.
• Approach employees about the possible need for accommodation in a helpful, non-threatening way.
• Establish and maintain effective communication regarding changing accommodation needs.
• Support and accommodate employees with episodic disabilities.

MATERIALS
Includes materials, with case summaries and analyses, prepared by Lancaster's legal staff.