Service Animals In The Workplace California
Assistive animals differ from what employers may already come expect when accommodating an employees disability.
Service animals in the workplace california. The New California Regulations Support Animals in the Workplace Andrea L. Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in the Workplace. On the other hand federal law defines an emotional support animal by exclusion.
In that case the person must use voice signal or other effective means to maintain control of the animal. Alerts people who are hearing impaired. McDowell Suite 180 Petaluma CA 94954 Tel.
In the employment context the statutory schemes that require reasonable accommodation for disabilities are the California Fair Employment and Housing Act FEHA and the Americans With Disabilities Act ADA. Advancements in animal training and alternative medical treatments mean that animals today can be much more than just pets. Most people are familiar with service animalstypically dogsthat assist people with disabilities at home and at work.
A support animal sometimes called a comfort animal is one that provides emotional cognitive or other similar support to a person with a disability including but not limited to a traumatic brain injury or a mental disability such as major depression. Animals which meet this definition are considered service animals whether or not they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. Perez By Andrea L.
Both the ADA and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act FEHA prohibit discrimination on the. California law allows persons with disabilities to bring service dogs and emotional support animals to work with some limitations. Thanks to Californias Fair Employment and Housing Act job applicants and employees are protected from discrimination in the workplace due to a physical or mental medical disorder that is disabling potentially.
Under the employment part of the ADA title I there are no specific guidelines for employers to follow when an individual with a disability wants to use a service animal in the workplace. Depending on the type of work some workplaces may be exempt from allowing service animals in the workplace. Fellion and Patti C.