Mark Wiletsky
Question: For employees working from home, we currently don’t provide reimbursement for furniture without a doctor’s note stating a need for an ergonomic chair or desk. If we require someone to work from home more than half the time, do we have to purchase an ergonomic chair other than for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) purposes?
Answer: Probably not. You’re correct that the provision of specialized equipment (including, potentially, an ergonomic chair or special desk) can be considered a reasonable accommodation under the ADA, but you likely have no obligation to provide such equipment to employees unless they are disabled within the meaning of the Act and you determine through the interactive process the equipment requested may reasonably accommodate their disabilities by allowing them to
perform the essential job functions.
