Duty to Accommodate in Ontario: What Every Employee Should Know
In Ontario, the duty to accommodate requires employers to make reasonable changes to workplace rules or environments. Here's what you need to know.
## Understanding the Duty to Accommodate in Ontario
In Ontario, the duty to accommodate is a legal obligation that requires employers to make reasonable changes to workplace rules, policies, or physical environments to meet the needs of employees with disabilities.
## What Counts as Reasonable Accommodation?
- Modified work schedules
- Ergonomic equipment
- Remote work arrangements
- Reduced workloads
- Additional breaks
- Reassignment to a different position
## The Undue Hardship Standard
Employers can only refuse accommodation if they can demonstrate "undue hardship." This is a high bar — mere inconvenience or minor costs are not sufficient. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal considers cost, health and safety risks, and outside sources of funding.
## Your Role in the Accommodation Process
As an employee, you must communicate your needs, provide supporting medical documentation, cooperate in finding solutions, and accept reasonable accommodations.
## Getting Medical Documentation
A physician's accommodation letter is often the key document. MedLetter provides same-day accommodation letters from CPSO-registered physicians.