Columbus, OH Mental Health Discrimination Lawyers

Mental health discrimination generally falls under disability discrimination, since disabilities are defined as physical or mental impairments. So, mental health conditions like anxiety or depression can qualify as disabilities under the law, and your employer is required by law to make reasonable accommodations to allow you to work.

If you are capable of performing your regular job duties with or without reasonable accommodations from your employer, and you have experienced workplace discrimination concerning mental health, you may have a legal claim.

Whether someone has a valid claim depends on whether their mental health condition qualifies as a disability and whether it affects their ability to perform the essential functions of their job. That’s the key standard in disability discrimination cases, regardless of whether the impairment is physical or mental.

For example, if an employer says, “I don’t think you can do your job anymore because you told me you have depression or anxiety,” that could be considered mental health discrimination at work. It’s not about what the employer thinks the employee can or cannot do – it’s about what the employee is actually capable of doing. Making assumptions based solely on a mental health diagnosis can be a form of discrimination.

This type of situation could also fall under the “regarded as” prong of disability discrimination, meaning the employer treats the employee as if they are disabled or incapable of performing the job based on a perceived condition, even if that perception is inaccurate.

No one should experience workplace discrimination for mental health concerns, especially by their employer. Our mental health discrimination lawyers in Columbus, Ohio are passionate advocates for workers, and we’re ready to review your case and fight for you.

Examples of Mental Health Discrimination at Work in Columbus

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are barred from discriminating against any employees with disabilities in all areas of employment. Unfortunately, discrimination can still occur, with examples including:

• Hiring discrimination
• Firing based on discrimination
• Promotion denial
• Demotions
• Discriminatory compensation
• Retaliatory discrimination

Federal and Ohio employment law ensures disability protections for workers, and you deserve to be treated fairly. Whether you are facing termination, harassment, or discrimination, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain, and suffering.

Those with disabilities have the same rights as other employees, and they should be allowed to access the same opportunities and benefits as their colleagues. If an employer is not supplying you with reasonable accommodations for any mental health issue, you may be experiencing mental health discrimination at work. Our team can hold your employer accountable and assist in cases of discrimination and wrongful termination.

Medical Leave as a Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable accommodations to avoid workplace discrimination against mental health needs can include medical leave depending on the circumstances. When employers maintain rigid, inflexible leave policies, they may be violating aspects of ADA requirements. Additionally, employers who use no-fault attendance polices may also be in violation of the ADA if their policies discriminate against employees with mental health disabilities.