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Professional Perspective: As an HR professional, I am committed to learning and fostering a compliant workplace that support employees’ mental health needs.

Audience: Administrators, HR personnel, and Executive Leadership Teams.

Topic: Workplace accommodation requests for staff with mental health conditions.

Basis: Addressing mental health in the workplace is crucial for employee well-being and legal compliance, especially in workplace settings where stress levels can be high.

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Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

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Recommendations / Best Practices for Compliance

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Conduct reoccurring training sessions on ADA compliance and mental health accommodations.

Develop a policy and a standardized process for handling accommodation requests.

Ensure confidentiality of all medical and accommodation requested  information.

Engage in the interactive process with employees to identify reasonable  accommodations.

Review and update policies to reflect current laws and best practices yearly.

Provide access to mental health resources.

Monitor accommodations and make adjustments as needed.

Partner with mental health organizations for additional resources.

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Personal Connection to Legal and Ethical Standards

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Personal Connection to Legal and Ethical Standards

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1. Through my studies and working in HR, I have seen employees struggle due to lack of accommodations.

2. Learning all about ADA compliance helps me advocate for fair treatment.

3. Understanding these laws has deepened my commitment to advocating for employees’ mental health rights.

This knowledge has shaped my educational journey, reinforcing the importance of ethical leadership in all HR practices throughout my career life.

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Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Code of Ethics.

Ethical Principle: “Respect the rights of others.”

Connection: This emphasizes the ethical obligation to accommodate employees’ mental health needs respectfully, honestly, and confidentially.

Link: https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/pages/code-of-ethics.aspx

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Training: Implement regular training for supervisors on recognizing and accommodating mental health conditions.

Train managers in ADA compliance. ( EEOC, 2023)

Interactive Process: Establish a clear, documented interactive process for accommodation requests.

Document accommodation requests and responses ( SAMHSA, 2022)

Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality of employees’ medical information.

Promote mental health awareness programs. ( OSHA, 2021)

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Local Administrative Law / Policy / Rule

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Local Administrative Law / Policy / Rule

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Policy: Houston Independent School District (HISD) Mental Health Initiative

Summary: HISD partnered with The Harris Center in Houston to provide mental health screenings and services to others and students, demonstrating a district-level approach to mental health accommodations.

Link: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/hisd/article/hisd-may-board-meeting-20312707.php

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Regulation: EEOC Guidance on Mental Health Conditions and the ADA

Summary: Clarifies rights and responsibilities under the ADA concerning mental health conditions in the workplace.

Link: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/depression-ptsd-other-mental-health-conditions-workplace-your-legal-rights

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Case: EEOC v. Walmart Stores East, L.P., No. 1:21-cv-01548 (E.D. Cal. 2021)

Summary: The EEOC sued Walmart store for failing to accommodate an employee with a mental health condition, resulting in a $200,000 settlement.

Link: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/wal-mart-stores-east-lp-will-pay-100000-settle-eeoc-disability-discrimination-suit

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Statute: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Title I

Summary: Prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires review for reasonable accommodation.

Link: https://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm

Administrative Law: 29 C.F.R. Part 1630 – Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the ADA

Summary: Provides guidelines on implementing ADA provisions, including descriptions and accommodation requirements.

Link: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XIV/part-1630

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.

29 C.F.R. § 1630 (2023).

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Federal Law: U.S. Constitution, 14th Amendment – Equal Protection Clause

Summary: Prohibits states from denying any person equal protection under the law, shaping the basis for anti-discrimination legislation.

Link: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/

State Law: Texas Constitution, Article I, Section 3 – Equal Rights

Summary: Ensures all people have equal rights under the law in Texas.

Link: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm

U.S. Const. amend. XIV.

Tex. Const. art. I, § 3.

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Federal Agency: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Role: Enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

State Agency: Texas Workforce Commission – Civil Rights Division.

Role: Handles employment discrimination claims under the state law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). About EEOC. https://www.eeoc.gov/about-eeoc

Texas Workforce Commission. (n.d.). Civil Rights Division. https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/civil-rights-discrimination

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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). The ADA: Your Responsibilities as an Employer. https://www.eeoc.gov/publications/ada-your-responsibilities-employer

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (2016). Depression, PTSD, & Other Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your Legal Rights. https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/depression-ptsd-other-mental-health-conditions-workplace-your-legal-rights

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). About EEOC. https://www.eeoc.gov/about-eeoc

Houston Chronicle. (2025, May 6). HISD’s Board of Managers will hold its regular meeting Thursday. Here’s what’s on the May agenda. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/hisd/article/hisd-may-board-meeting-20312707.php

Society for Human Resource Management. (n.d.). SHRM Code of Ethical and Professional Standards in Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/pages/code-of-ethics.aspx

Texas Workforce Commission. (n.d.). Civil Rights Division. https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/civil-rights-discrimination