The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Providing a level playing field for employees with disabilities is not only a moral imperative—it is a legal requirement that carries significant financial stakes for noncompliant organizations. This comprehensive handbook serves as a critical roadmap for HR professionals, offering a deep dive into Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to help you demystify complex definitions, avoid illegal inquiries, and master the interactive process for reasonable accommodations.

By downloading this resource, you will learn:

• The Legal Definition of Disability: Explore the three-pronged criteria for protection under the ADA, including actual impairments, records of past disability, and the “regarded as” definition.
• The Interactive Process & Reasonable Accommodations: Discover how to engage in a good-faith dialogue with employees to identify effective workplace modifications that don’t cause “undue hardship.”
• Discrimination Pitfalls in the Hiring Process: Learn exactly when you can (and cannot) ask disability-related questions and how to ensure your pre-employment testing focuses strictly on essential job functions.
• Confidentiality & Information Requirements: Master the strict rules for gathering and protecting medical information to ensure your record-keeping practices remain secure and legally compliant.

Unum is a leading provider of employee benefits that has, for over 180 years, been helping millions of people protect their families, their finances and their futures. We deliver better ways to access disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision benefits through the workplace. Our award-winning leave and absence solutions help employers streamline absence management, while making it easy and engaging for employees to plan leaves, receive benefits and return to work smoothly.