Requesting an Accommodation or Leave
Disclosure of information about one's medical condition or impairment is required to make certain common requests (medical leave or accommodations) from an employer. The person's doctor must support these requests by documenting the ways in which the medical condition limits his or her job performance.
Documentation required
If you decide to request a job accommodation or medical leave from your employer, or apply for short-term disability, you will need to supply documentation from your physician in support of your request:
- Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), your physician is only required to certify that you have a "medical condition" that limits you in a particular way. The doctor is not required to provide your diagnosis.
- However, your employer has the right to ask for additional information if the information that has been provided is not detailed enough to support your request--which may ultimately lead to the disclosure of your diagnosis.
