ADA Essentials: What Employers Need to Know About the Interactive Process
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) imposes real, enforceable obligations on employers and is among the most misunderstood laws . Many organizations approach accommodation requests with genuine care and good intentions, yet still find themselves exposed to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges and legal liability. Good intentions, without a documented, good-faith dialogue, carry no legal weight. It is important for employers to understand what the ADA interactive process actually requires and how to avoid common pitfalls. What the ADA Interactive Process Actually Requires The interactive process is a collaborative, good-faith dialogue between an employer and an employee or applicant with a disability, aimed at identifying effective, reasonable accommodations . The EEOC describes it as an informal process in which both parties work together to identify the precise limitations caused by the disability and explore possible accommodations. A denial email, a one-side...