This week, we examine a decision from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York addressing remote work requests and disability accommodations.

Remote Work and Disability Discrimination: What Employers Need to Know

A recent federal ruling clarified that denying a request for full-time remote work as a disability accommodation does not, by itself, constitute discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Rehabilitation Act.

Key Takeaways for Employers

• Interactive Process: Employers must engage in a documented, good-faith interactive process and consider reasonable alternative accommodations when evaluating remote-work requests.
• Essential Functions: Employers may require in-person attendance where it is essential to job performance, even in a post-pandemic workplace.
• Retaliation Risk: Even where denying remote work is lawful, retaliation claims may still arise based on the timing or circumstances of the denial.
•