Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 Reasonable Accommodation Claim: A Detailed Description Keywords: Rhode Island, jury instruction, reasonable accommodation claim, types In the state of Rhode Island, when an employee brings forth a reasonable accommodation claim, jury instructions become imperative to guide the jury throughout the legal process. Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 specifically addresses the procedural aspects and essential elements related to reasonable accommodation claims. This instruction helps ensure that jurors have a comprehensive understanding of the necessary criteria to consider when deciding such cases. Reasonable accommodation claims arise when an employee with a disability requests accommodations from their employer to carry out essential job functions. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship or fundamentally alter the nature of the job. Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 provides relevant guidance to the jury in understanding the nuances of this type of claim. This jury instruction covers various essential elements related to reasonable accommodation claims, including: 1. Duty to Accommodate: This instruction outlines how and when an employer is obligated to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. It emphasizes the employer's responsibility to engage in the interactive process with the employee, discuss potential accommodations, and find an effective solution. 2. Undue Hardship Exception: The instruction explains that an employer may refuse to make certain accommodations if they can prove that doing so would result in undue hardship to the business. Factors considered for determining undue hardship include the size and resources of the employer, the overall cost of the accommodation, and the impact on the business's operations. 3. Fundamental Job Alteration: This instruction helps the jury comprehend when an accommodation request is considered unreasonable due to fundamentally altering the nature of the job. It clarifies that accommodations need not be provided if they significantly change essential job functions, qualifications, or safety requirements. Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 also assists the jury in understanding the burden of proof in such cases. Typically, the burden rests on the employee to demonstrate that they have a disability covered by relevant laws, that they are otherwise qualified to perform the essential functions of their job, and that the accommodation they requested was reasonable. Furthermore, it is important to note that while Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 provides a comprehensive overview of reasonable accommodation claims, there may be additional jury instructions or variations depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Overall, jury instructions such as Rhode Island Jury Instruction — 1.5.2 play a crucial role in ensuring that the jury has a clear understanding of the legal standards surrounding reasonable accommodation claims. These instructions help guarantee fairness and consistency in the jury's decision-making process, leading to just outcomes for both employees and employers involved in these types of claims.