Human Resource Blog

Rehabilitation Act in Idaho

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What should Idaho employers know about the Rehabilitation Act?

Employers in states across the country should know about the Rehabilitation Act, as it applies to many businesses in all states, including businesses in the state of Idaho. However, the Act does not apply to all businesses. In order for an employer to be covered by the Act, the employer needs to meet at least one of the following criteria:

·         The employer should be a federal government agency or contractor that receives federal funds

·         It could be a local or state contractor or agency that receives federal funds

·         Employers could be educational institutions that receive federal funds

·         Public and private employers may also receive coverage if they receive federal funds

When an employer is covered by the Act, the employer is prohibited from taking a disability into consideration when making any decisions about employment, such as a decision about the following:

·         Hiring

·         Compensation

·         Promotions

·         Training

·         Termination

When an employee or a job applicant has a disability, the employer should overlook the disability when making personnel-related decisions, even if it means having to spend more money to hire or promote the worker with a disability. Employers are expected to make reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities. For example, if a worker is in a wheelchair and needs a lower desk, the employer should provide the lower desk without consideration to the added expense.

In some cases, employers will also need to take affirmative action to hire workers with disabilities. For example, if a federal agency or contractor has a contract worth at least $10,000, the agency or contractor should take affirmative action to hire workers with disabilities. An employer needs to take written affirmative action to hire workers with disabilities if they have at least 50 employees and federal contracts worth at least $50,000. CB