Q: Terminated after medication change affected job performance; informed supervisor, no accommodations, past performance positive.
I was recently terminated from my job for violating company policy after a change in my medication affected my performance. I informed my supervisor about the changes, but my employer did not provide any accommodations. Although I signed a memo acknowledging the rules, my past performance reviews were always positive. Is there anything I can do under these circumstances?
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A:
It sounds like you are in a difficult situation, especially since your job performance had been positive in the past. If the change in your medication affected your ability to perform your job, your employer might have been required to make reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you have a disability that was worsened by the medication, and it affected your performance, you may be entitled to accommodations like adjusting your workload or changing tasks.
Since you informed your supervisor about the medication change, your employer should have engaged in a conversation about possible accommodations. If they did not, they could have violated your rights to reasonable accommodation, depending on the nature of your condition and the medication. You may have grounds to challenge the termination if the company did not make reasonable efforts to support you.
You could consider reaching out to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to file a complaint or consult with a legal professional who can assess whether your termination was legally justified under ADA guidelines. Documenting everything, including the communication with your supervisor and your past performance, will be helpful if you choose to take further action.
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