2022-07-18 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

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Merit Appeals Board July 18, 2022 So, we were working through some hurdles at that time and there—through—there was an EO complaint filed with EEOC and it led toI always forget that word—mediation—excuse me. So, Corporation Counsel, DHR, and a representative from the EEOC met and, as a result of that mediation, the mediator gave us some tips on how to revise our reasonable accommodation training. So, Dan—once we received the report from EEOC—Danny immediately updated our reasonable accommodations training, so that all of our HR reps. recognize that any reasonable accommodation request that come in not only medical—but religious exemptions should also go through the interactive process. And then, finally, we interviewed three people for the EO Manager position last week. All did— we did not make any selection. The recruitment is on continuous recruitment. So, as soon as we get additional names, we will continue our interview and selection process so that we can relieve Danny of some his long list of duties. So that is the update I have for our EO/ADA Division. Any questions? MS. DE SOTO: May I ask a question related to the division but not specifically (inaudible). CHR. CABANAS: Go ahead, Kate. MS. DE SOTO: Okay. I was curious over the last couple years, if you've seen an increase in requests for reasonable accommodations that I know you mentioned religious but also mental health related, `cause we have seen an increase in mental health issues in our society as a whole in the last couple years. MR. LEOPOLDINO: We have not. I don't know if MR. PATEL: No. Yeah, we actually have not and based on the more recent data I'm tracking, the requests have actually gone down, somewhat. At least since last December, since I first filled the position, so. A lot of things happening. It's not really clear why, but yeah. No, for an answer. MS. DE SOTO: Do you feel that the, like, employees have sufficient knowledge and understanding their rights around reasonable accommodations and what types of diagnosis or disabilities fall under ADA? MR. PATEL: It does appear that way in the sense that if—haven't been getting much requests for consultations regarding—related to reasonable accommodations from individual departments. So, that says to me that they know what their obligations are when requests do come in they're able to address it. Most of them are typically along the lines of more immediate, I guess, relatively smaller needs, right, with ergonomic chairs and standing desks and that sort of thing, which we would usually provide. And part of the trainings that I've you can tell from the reports that we've gone through Page 25