Limitations to the Duty to Accommodate

Contract law principles; frustration when no party to contract is at fault but the terms can no longer be fulfilled; discusses the cases in which an employee is absent and/or cannot work because of disability or illness lasting a long or unknowable amount of time; provides employers and employees with information on what tribunals have said on such matters. 

Discusses the inter-connectedness of the concepts of duty to accommodate, Bona Fide Occupational Requirement and undue hardship. She argues that the duty to accommodate is part of the test for BFOR, within the process of justification required which is linked to the concept of reasonable necessity in step three of the Meiorin test. Discusses that the implication of the duty to accommodate, as established in the Meiorin test, requires considering alternative standards to the employers standard being questioned, which challenges norms and has the potential to affect substantive change.

Discusses leading principals of accommodation law. A review of the legal standard of accommodation and undue hardship. Reviews unions duties in the accommodation process and their potential liabilities. reviews Reviews case law on employees’ duty to participate in the accommodation process and under what grounds the employee can refuse the employer offered accommodation. reviews the duty to accommodate mental health and addiction disabilties and culpable vrs. non-culpable behavior. Brief discussion of perceived disability and drug testing. Reviews case law on employees privacy rights vs.

Overall focus on expectations that employers should have for themselves when accommodating applicants, employees or third parties. Includes best practices, case law examples; addresses mental health and addiction; family status. 

Assesses the potential for Meorin and Grismer decisions to change the face of what accommodation of disability means in the modern workplace. Explores whether the jurisprudence in current courts and tribunals are following through with humanitarian promises.