Service Animals in the Workplace – Are They Allowed?
Imported
Service Animals in the Workplace – Are They Allowed?
March 27, 2018 Greg Thomson
Employers have the duty to accommodate persons with disabilities in the workplace. Accommodations range from changing work hours to modifying their workstation, to providing alternative work tasks, to even allowing service animals in the workplace.
What classifies as a service animal? What are your responsibilities as an employer? Below we answer these questions.
What is a service animal?
An animal is a service animal for a person with a disability:
If it is visibly apparent that the animal is used by the person for reasons relating to his or her disability; or
If the person provides a letter from a physician or nurse confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability
Ways to identify a service animal
Service animals may wear a harness or vest as a visible identifier that displays it is a service animal
Handlers will have an identification card
Some handlers carry a letter from a healthcare provider. The letter will state that the service animal is required for reasons relating to the individual’s disability.
Do employers have to allow service animals in the workplace?
Employers and workers may feel that having a service animal in the workplace is a nuisance [...]
