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Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg  I'm glad we can agree/disagree on this subject in a calm manner. With that said... |
Likewise!
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Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg In my honest opinion then that person should not be applying for that job. Now, the difference would be if say one worked 9-5 all the time and then switched to shift work. I could understand that certain accomadations may need to be made then....however...the problem comes in how will your other co-workers then respect you? If you say get stuck on 3rd shift (generally 11-7) but you have to take your meds and eat at 6 am and you want off work at 6 am all the time, that is not a reasonable accomadation. Your other employees may not respect that either and keep in mind that your fellow employees are what generally determines how enjoyable a job is.
But if they have always worked say 9-5 and are applying at a new job that is 9-5, then that new job in my honest opinion, should not make any accomadations for the employee to "occasionally" be late. If the employee can't work the hours, then they should look at a job that starts at 10 instead of 9 or bring up starting an hour late in the interview, of course, at this point, they would need to tell of the diabetes (which you and I will disagree on if it should be brought up.) If that job won't accomadate, then there are about a billion other companies out there that may.
I have huge issues with the entire ADA thing to begin with and it's very evident on this forum. In case A people want the ADA to give them special accomadations but then in case B people want to be treated like everyone else.
Look at driver's licenses...most on here will agree that it's no business of the BMV that they are diabetic however they are the same ones that want to time to test and eat at work. I'll bet you that those people will not pull over to the side of the road every 1 hour of driving to test. |
I think every individual employment case has to be evaluated individually. If someone is qualified in every other way, and can get the work done even if a bit late occasionally, why should they not get a job? That is what ADA is there for--for people who can do the job. Figuring things out with coworkers, keeping their respect--regardless of reason--is always a challenge on the job. Find me one person who never needs some kind of accommodation--to go home early frequently for a sick kid, to make phone calls on the job when a parent is dying, to check in on a sick spouse who's home. Those occasional accommodations should also be worked out with coworkers. If people will disrespect you for needing to take your medication, or calling home frequently about a sick kid, well, that's just something one has to live with. People having these other issues are also occasionally fired, and that's a shame too. Unfortunately (IMHO) that's not illegal too.
Disabilities are simply--usually, unlike diabetes--more visible, and so easier to discriminate against in advance. Diabetics don't always need accommodations, unlike, say, a brilliant scientist (Stephen Hawking) needing wheelchair access. But occasionally we do.
These are work-life balance questions that haven't been taken seriously in the U.S., and I think that's a shame. There's all kinds of data that show that businesses actually do better, their workers are more productive, and happier, when work-life balance needs are respected. But most companies think that holding a whip over someone's head is somehow going to get the heart and mind and body to do better. I disagree.
As for finding another job that's more flexible--unfortunately that isn't really viable for many people in today's world. Jobs are essential to survival, and companies are laying off thousands at a time, and especially when one lives in small communities that have often been dependent on a couple of fleeing/closing industries, it's virtually impossible. So if one can fully do the job with occasional accommodations, I think they should take it.
For those who are concerned while being hired, there are subtle ways to ask about company flex-time options without revealing one's whole life, especially if one's called back for a 2nd or 3rd interview. Clearly they're desired, and so benefits and/or work-life options are something a prospective employee would want to consider and an employer would expect to be asked about.
IMHO
PS: Sorry for the really long post!
