Download Fact Sheet: Fact Sheet: Work This Way: A Labor & Employment Podcast — Service animals, the ADA, and Workplace Rights (PDF)
Keywords: Service Animals, Reasonable Accommodations, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This podcast discusses service animals in the workplace and provides practical guidance for employers on ways they can address requests for accommodation involving service animals.
Key Takeaways
- Service Animals can be a Reasonable Accommodation: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers must consider employee requests to use their service animals as a workplace accommodation. Employers should approve requests that involve service animals trained to perform workplace activities related to the person’s disabilities unless it is an undue hardship to do so or violates local or state health laws.
- Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals: Service animals are trained to perform specific tasks for a person with disabilities, as opposed to emotional support animals which only support the person’s wellbeing. Generally, service animals can be a required accommodation under the ADA while emotional support animals are not.
- Employer Challenges Regarding Service Animals: Many employers are confused about what qualifies as a service animal and how to balance employee accommodation rights with workplace health, safety, and business challenges.
- Effective Communication and Compliance: When employers receive requests for accommodation involving service animals, they should communicate with the employee to assess their needs, identify and evaluate options, and address challenges.
Implications for Policymakers
The information in this podcast can be used to develop and/or modify workplace policy and practice focused on:
- Clarifying Guidance on ADA Requirements. Policymakers can use this information to develop guidance on the ADA and service animals, including new or supplemental guidance on what qualifies as a service animal and what qualifies as an undue hardship.
- Developing Resources to Support ADA Compliance. Policymakers can use this information to develop resources for employers on ways to address requests for accommodation involving service animals. This can include practical tips for how to effectively communicate with employees, consider requests, balance challenges, and meet their obligations under the ADA.
- Broader Economic Policy. Policymakers can use this information to develop and implement policies that identify and encourage best practices in communicating and collaborating with employees, including employee outreach, hiring, training, retention, and Human Resources procedures. This will ensure an effective and consistent workforce, supporting the broader economy.
For more information on Employment Rights and issues under Title I of the ADA, please see the Southeast ADA’s Center’s Resource Page.