Reasonable Accommodations & Interactive Dialogue

Southwest Care Center is committed to complying with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing reasonable accommodations of individuals, including, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To that end, we will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to applicants and team members who have requested an accommodation or for whom Southwest Care Center has notice may require such an accommodation, without regard  to any protected classifications, related to an individual's:
 

• Disability, meaning any physical, medical, mental, or psychological impairment, or a history or record of such impairment;

• Sincerely held religious beliefs and practices;

• Needs as a victim of domestic violence, sex offenses, or stalking;

• Needs related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and/or

• Any  other reason required by applicable  law, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

​

Any individual who would like to request an accommodation based on any of the reasons set forth above should contact a Human Resources Representative. Accommodation requests can be made verbally or in writing. If an individual who has requested an accommodation has not received an initial response within five (5) business days, the team member should contact Director of Human Resources.

After receiving a request for an accommodation or learning indirectly that the team member may require such an accommodation, Southwest Care Center will engage in an interactive dialogue with the team member.
Even if team member has not formally requested an accommodation, Southwest  Care Center  may initiate an interactive dialogue under certain circumstances, such as when Southwest Care Center has knowledge that team member's performance at work has been negatively affected and a reasonable basis to believe that the issue is related to any of the protected classifications set forth above, in compliance with applicable law. In the event Southwest Care Center initiates an interactive dialogue with an team member, it should not be construed as Southwest Care Center's  belief  an  individual requires an accommodation, but will serve as an invitation for the team member to share with Southwest Care Center any information the team member desires to share, or to request an accommodation.

The interactive dialogue may take place in person, by telephone, or by electronic means. As part of the interactive dialogue, Southwest Care Center will communicate openly and in good faith with the team member in a timely manner in order to determine whether and how Southwest Care Center may be able to provide a reasonable accommodation. To the extent necessary and appropriate based on the request, Southwest Care Center will attempt to explore the existence and feasibility of alternative accommodations as well as alternative positions for the team member. Southwest Care Center is not required to provide the specific accommodation sought by the team member, provided the alternatives are reasonable and either meet the specific needs of the team member or specifically address the team member's limitations.

As part of the interactive dialogue, Southwest Care Center reserves the right to request supporting documentation, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

Southwest Care Center will endeavor to keep confidential all communications regarding requests for reasonable accommodations and all circumstances surrounding the team member's underlying reason for needing an accommodation.

Southwest Care Center will not allow any form of retaliation against team members who have requested an accommodation, for whom Southwest Care Center has notice may require such an accommodation, or who otherwise engage in the interactive dialogue process.

Team members with questions regarding this policy should contact Director of Human Resources.