Helen Baker suffers from a condition that causes her to have periodic severe headaches. There is no cure for the condition and her pain is managed with medication that makes her sleep until the episode is over. When Helen has a headache, it could last anywhere from 1 day to 10 days. When Helen is not bedridden because of a headache, she is active and productive. She has been trained as a medical secretary and would like to continue to work. She has asked her employer to allow her to work flex time to accommodate her condition. Her employer, City Hospital, has denied her request because it would be impossible to prepare a schedule for her department, never knowing if she will be able to work or not.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While Helen has a disability that requires accommodation, her request for flex time would make it impossible for City Hospital to effectively schedule her department. The ADA requires that an employee be "otherwise qualified" for the job, which means that they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. In this case, Helen's inability to be present at work on a regular basis means that she is not otherwise qualified for the job of medical secretary, and therefore City Hospital is not liable under the ADA for denying her request for flex time.

Helen Baker Suffers from a Condition That Causes Her to Have