When Does an Employer ‘Know’ About an Employee’s Disability?

June 04, 2026 | From HRCalifornia Extra

by James W. Ward, J.D.; Employment Law Subject Matter Expert/Legal Writer and Editor, CalChamber

Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees and job applicants because of physical or mental disabilities and are required to engage in an interactive process and provide reasonable accommodations for known disabilities unless doing so would cause the employer undue hardship — but these obligations apply only when the employer knows of the disability.

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