Why written job descriptions are so important

Description

Abstract: An employee with an eye injury was told he had to obtain medical clearance to continue in his current position or else find a different type of job within the company. When he did neither and was terminated, he sued, claiming he had not been offered a reasonable accommodation according to the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To receive protection under the act, he needed to establish that he was qualified to perform the essential functions of his job. This article notes five primary points the appeals court considered — including the written description for the plaintiff’s job — in determining whether the job duty in question was indeed an essential function. Knutson v. Schwan’s Home Service, Inc., No. 12-2240, April 3, 2013 (8th Cir.)