Navigating Legal Challenges Concerning Employees with Psychiatric Illness in Today's Workplace
Speaker: Janette S Levey
Speaker Designation: Founder, The EmpLAWyerologist Firm
Speaker: Janette S Levey
Speaker Designation: Founder, The EmpLAWyerologist Firm
The principles prohibiting discrimination in the workplace under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws originated with both physical and psychiatric disabilities in mind; however, employers tend to focus more on physical disabilities.
According to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, an estimated 26% of Americans ages 18 and older -- about 1 in 4 adults -- suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.
This webinar will discuss the employment rights of individuals with psychiatric disabilities and the responsibilities that employers have under the ADA and other applicable laws, with emphasis on workplace accommodations, and discuss issues that arise including:
"How many times have we found ourselves in the aftermath of a workplace shooting or other catastrophic event, wondering if there were signs, we missed or if we could have prevented it from happening?
It's a daunting thought, but the truth is that employers have a responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, including those with mental impairments that limit their major life activities. The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates this, with the exception of cases where the accommodation would cause undue hardship on the employer or where the employee poses a direct threat to the safety of themselves or others. It's a complex issue that employers must address to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace."
Not knowing the answers to these crucial questions could land you in legal hot water. However, by taking the time to understand your responsibilities, you'll be able to prevent potential tragedies and foster a thriving and engaged workforce while creating a safe and secure workplace. Plus, you'll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're protected against legal liability.
Janette Levey Frisch is an attorney with more than 20 years legal experience. Janette is the founder of The EmpLAWyerologist Firm. Janette works with employers on most employment law issues, acting as the Employer’s Legal Wellness Professional – to ensure that employers are in the best position possible to avoid litigation, audits, employee relations problems, and the attendant, often exorbitant costs. Janette authors the firm’s weekly blog and has written articles on many different employment law issues for many publications, including EEO Insight, Staffing Industry Review, @Law, and Chief Legal Officer.
Janette is licensed in New Jersey and New York. In addition, Janette serves as a Legal Wellness Professional to employers outside New Jersey and New York on almost all federal employment law issues, to enable employees to address workplace challenges before they escalate to litigation or costly audits. Janette is also a contributor to the recently released book, “Hiring Greatness: How to Recruit Your Dream Team and Crush the Competition”, published by John Wiley and Sons, and authored by David E. Perry and Mark J. Haluska.
Janette has also spoken and trained on topics, such as Criminal Background Checks in the Hiring Process, Joint Employment, Severance Arrangements, Pre-Employment Screening among many others.
