San Francisco Workplace Disability Discrimination Lawyers

Disability Discrimination in San Francisco 

Protecting Your Right to Work with a Disability 

At Ottinger Employment Lawyers, we have been helping employees in San Francisco and across California protect their careers for more than 25 years. If you are living with a disability and facing challenges at work, you do not have to navigate it alone. California law provides strong protections to ensure you can continue working and that your rights are respected. 

Strong Legal Protections for Employees with Disabilities 

Employees in California are protected under both state and federal law. The Fair Employment and Housing Act offers broad protections for workers with disabilities, often going further than the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. That means in San Francisco, you may have additional recourse if your rights are violated. 

What Counts as a Disability? 

California defines a disability broadly. A disability is any physical or mental condition that limits a major life activity such as working, seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, or learning. Protections cover both actual disabilities and perceived disabilities. Even if your employer only believes you have a disability and acts against you, that can be unlawful. 

Examples of covered conditions include, but are not limited to: 
Vision or hearing loss 
Mobility impairments 
Chronic or episodic conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, or heart disease 
Serious illnesses such as HIV or cancer 

If your condition affects your ability to work, even temporarily, you may qualify for protection under California law. 

Continuing to Do Your Job 

To be protected, you must have a qualifying disability and be able to perform the essential functions of your job, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Many white-collar roles can be performed with adjustments or assistive tools. The law is designed to help you stay employed rather than push you out because of a disability. 

Reasonable Accommodations 

California law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations that enable employees with disabilities to perform their essential job functions. A reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment to your work environment, schedule, equipment, or duties that allows you to continue working effectively despite your disability. The goal is to support your ability to perform your job, not to force you out of the workplace. 

The Interactive Process 

Once your employer knows about your disability, they must engage in the interactive process. This is a collaborative discussion between you, your employer, and often your medical providers to identify accommodations that allow you to continue working. The interactive process is not optional. If your employer ignores it, handles it in bad faith, or refuses to cooperate, they may be violating your rights. 

Facing Disability Discrimination at Work 

If you have been fired, demoted, denied accommodations, or treated unfairly because of a disability, you may have a claim. Associational discrimination, such as being punished for caring for a family member with a disability, is also unlawful. 

At Ottinger Employment Lawyers, we have helped hundreds of professionals across San Francisco assert their rights and continue their careers. Whether your disability is long-term, newly diagnosed, or temporary, we can guide you through your options and protect your employment. 

Your consultation is confidential. Contact us today to discuss your situation and protect your career.