11/13/2009
When supervisors and managers have to deal with an employee they perceive as trouble, emotions can take over. That’s bad news. Warn them that anytime they have to deliver bad news to an employee—for example, while disciplining or firing—they must refrain from making smart-aleck comments. Wisecracks are too easy to misinterpret, especially if the employee already thinks the employer is out to get him.
11/13/2009
Sometimes, it makes sense to make an accommodation even if you aren’t entirely convinced the employee is disabled or that the accommodation will work. Think of it as a risk/benefit analysis. If the requested accommodation is easy to implement and doesn’t cost a lot, why not make it? It’s probably much cheaper than defending an ADA lawsuit.