What to do if I currently work at a business where I am a receptionist but they do not allow its employees to sit but i have a bad back?
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What to do if I currently work at a business where I am a receptionist but they do not allow its employees to sit but i have a bad back?
When I applied for the job it never stated anything about not being able to sit or standing for long periods of time in its job description. I have a bad back and am wondering what to do about this?
Asked on October 24, 2014 under Employment Labor Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
Assuming you have medical proof of your condition (e.g. a diagnosis, report, etc. from a doctor), then your employer may have to allow you to sit: employers are required by the law to make "reasoanble accommodations" to employees' disabilities. A reasonable accomodation is a change in how a job is done, or the provision of some furniture or technological item, which is neither too expensive nor disruptive to the business. Allowing a receptionist to sit and getting him or her some sort of chair or stool would not seem to be unreasonable, so they may have to do this. If they refuse to--again, assuming you could document and prove the condition--you may be able to file a complaint with your city or state civil rights department or agency, or with the federal EEOC.
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