Workplace Accommodations Based on Essential Duties

What is an “essential duty”? The Ontario Human Rights Code outlines for us that candidates or employees must be able to “perform the essential duties of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations”. But what does this really mean? At your workplace, what is the process for an accommodation? How are you defining or documenting the essential duties of your jobs?

Clearly defined and objective descriptions of the essential requirements of a job provides a solid and defensible foundation for providing accommodations when it comes to making decisions on hiring, as well as accommodating current employees.

In our February webinar, we’ll discuss the definition of an “essential duty” and some practical, objective and efficient ways some of our clients have been documenting them to develop and enhance their recruitment and return-to-work initiatives.