Mississippi Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claim is an important legal concept in employment discrimination cases. It specifically deals with claims made by employees who assert that their employers have failed to provide them with reasonable accommodations to enable them to perform their job functions effectively. This instruction guides jurors in understanding the relevant legal standards and principles associated with these claims. In Mississippi, there may be different types of Reasonable Accommodation Claims that can arise in various employment contexts. These claims are typically brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in workplaces with 15 or more employees. Reasonable Accommodation Claims arise when an employee with a disability requests certain modifications or adjustments to their job or work environment to accommodate their disability and allow them to perform essential job functions. The Mississippi Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 provides guidance and explanation on the following key components of a reasonable accommodation claim: 1. Essential Job Functions: The instruction helps the jury understand the concept of essential job functions, which are tasks that are fundamental to the position the employee holds. The accommodation requested must enable the employee to perform these essential functions. 2. Reasonable Accommodation: The instruction explains that employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless it would cause undue hardship on the employer. Reasonable accommodations may include job restructuring, modified work schedules, acquiring or modifying equipment or devices, or making the workplace accessible. 3. Interactive Process: The jury instruction highlights the importance of the interactive process between the employer and the employee. It emphasizes that both parties are responsible for engaging in good-faith discussions and effective communication to determine appropriate accommodations. 4. Undue Hardship: Jurors will learn that an employer may defend against a reasonable accommodation claim by showing that providing the requested accommodation would create an undue hardship. Factors considered in determining undue hardship include the nature and cost of the accommodation, the employer's financial resources, and the overall impact on the operation of the business. Overall, Mississippi Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claim provides a framework for jurors to evaluate the merits of such claims in employment discrimination cases. It ensures that jurors understand the legal standards and principles associated with reasonable accommodations and enables them to make an informed decision based on the evidence presented during trial.