California employers must abide by state and federal laws when making hiring or other employment decisions. Despite this, companies tend to be hesitant to hire disabled workers as they believe that doing so might result in lower productivity and reduced profits. However, in addition to avoiding a possible lawsuit, having an inclusive hiring process may also help firms find motivated and productive employees.
Reasonable accommodations are often reasonably priced
One reason why companies might shy away from hiring a disabled worker is the idea that workplace accommodations are expensive. However, there is little or no added cost to providing an employee with a flexible schedule or allowing a worker to use closed captioning when taking part in an online meeting. On average, an employer will spend roughly $500 on workplace accommodations per employee who needs them.
Disabled people can be highly skilled
It’s tempting to believe that someone with a disability isn’t suited for a career in tech or some other advanced field. However, research has shown that disabled workers have the same ability to thrive at work as those who are not disabled. In fact, a study focused on workers in Germany found that those with disabilities had higher levels of education than others in the population. Ultimately, engaging in disability discrimination may do little more than prevent a company from finding the talent it needs to remain competitive.
If you believe that you’ve been a victim of discrimination, it may be possible to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may help you obtain compensation for back pay or other damages that you might be entitled to. Alternatively, you can choose to resolve the matter directly with the company that engaged in potentially illegal activity.