Return-to-office mandates aren’t popular with workers for a list of reasons, from child care stress to commuting expenses. But likeability isn’t the only thing employers have to worry about when it comes to RTO.
Inconsistent RTO policies could create the perfect legal storm, with employers running the risk of incurring discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination-related lawsuits, underlines Lisa Koblin, partner at law firm Saul Ewing. Employers have to pay special attention to accommodation requests that come post-RTO and ensure they’re compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against workers with physical or mental impairment. Notably, remote work is the most common accommodation request, according to AbsenceSoft.
