Reasonable Accomdations

[Anonymous]

I am a federal employee and I have a Reasonable Accomdation to sit beside a flasher as I am hearing impaired. We have a new boss that just started and a co-worker brought that person around and introduced me as...she sits over here instead of with her group because she can't hear and needs to sit beside the flasher. I looked at her and stated it was a reasonable accomdation for medical and does not need to be discussed. I tried to approach her afterwards and she said who cares, it is not like everyone doesn't know you are deaf. I think she needs to go to training to learn what can or can not be discussed. Should I approach her supervisor? I am very embarrassed....why would you introduce someone by there disablility? She often doesnt think before she speaks.

[Anonymous]

There’s not actually a rule that says this can’t be discussed.

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm a little confused. Wouldn't the new boss need to know that the reason you don't sit with your group is because of your hearing impairment and need to sit by the flasher? She was a bit rude in how she responded but I think this is one of those instances you just need to shrug off.

[Anonymous]

All participants involved must agree to maintain confidentiality when discussing accommodations; reasonable accommodation information may only be shared on a need-to-know basis, will never go in a personnel file, and will not be shared with coworkers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All participants involved must agree to maintain confidentiality when discussing accommodations; reasonable accommodation information may only be shared on a need-to-know basis, will never go in a personnel file, and will not be shared with coworkers.

But once it has been shared with coworkers, I don’t know that the coworkers have an obligation to Mai gain confidentiality. I mean once it gets to the coworkers level, it’s pretty much common knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Why are you embarrassed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s not actually a rule that says this can’t be discussed.

At my agency there certainly is a rule that your boss doesn't discuss your accommodations even if they're "obvious"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All participants involved must agree to maintain confidentiality when discussing accommodations; reasonable accommodation information may only be shared on a need-to-know basis, will never go in a personnel file, and will not be shared with coworkers.

But once it has been shared with coworkers, I don’t know that the coworkers have an obligation to Mai gain confidentiality. I mean once it gets to the coworkers level, it’s pretty much common knowledge.

But it wasn't a coworker sharing the info, it was her supervisor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All participants involved must agree to maintain confidentiality when discussing accommodations; reasonable accommodation information may only be shared on a need-to-know basis, will never go in a personnel file, and will not be shared with coworkers.

But once it has been shared with coworkers, I don’t know that the coworkers have an obligation to Mai gain confidentiality. I mean once it gets to the coworkers level, it’s pretty much common knowledge.

But it wasn't a coworker sharing the info, it was her supervisor.

No, a coworker was bringing the new boss around, and the coworker was the one who shared the info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All participants involved must agree to maintain confidentiality when discussing accommodations; reasonable accommodation information may only be shared on a need-to-know basis, will never go in a personnel file, and will not be shared with coworkers.

But once it has been shared with coworkers, I don’t know that the coworkers have an obligation to Mai gain confidentiality. I mean once it gets to the coworkers level, it’s pretty much common knowledge.

The obligation is the organization's and the coworkers are employees of the organization

[Anonymous]

Is it a problem that your new supervisor know why you sit over there instead of with the rest of the team?

[Anonymous]

One could argue that your coworker is discriminating against you. I would talk to HR.

[Anonymous]

There should be respectful workplace training. Employees should treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of a reasonable accommodation.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused why they didn't move your team over by the flasher so that you all sit together.

[Anonymous]

Wtf is a flasher