Legal Question in Employment Law in California
disabled parking access
I work in a field office and must visit our district office (1000 people)once or twice a month. People who work in the building have gate cards and designated parking spaces. There are several disabled parking spaces designated for visitor use. I have a disabled placard but cannot park in these spaces because, as a field employee, I don't have a gate card.
The nearest parking structure a block and a half away. Street parking almost non existant.
This has been unsuccessfully addressed by my chain of command and many different departments for over a year. Now the Egual Oppertunity Office is telling me that possession of a placard isn't enough. I need a letter of medical need from my doctor before I can park in the buildings disabled parking sites designated for visitors, when, I visit the office.
I this reasonable? Are they required to provide parking for disabled visiting employees? Isn't the placard enough evidance of need to park in a disabled space?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: disabled parking access
Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled employees. The employer must engage in an interactive process with the employee and their health care provider to determine the appropriate accommodations. Although it seems counter-intuitive, the employer can ask for the medical certification of need. Mere possession of a disabled parking placard does not establish that you have the need for an accommodation.