Disability Discrimination, Leave & Accommodations

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Disability Rights, Workplace Accommodations, and Medical Leave

Minnesota and federal law protect employees with disabilities and provide rights to certain medical and family leaves. A disability is generally defined as a physical or mental impairment that materially limits one or more major life activities. Employers cannot fire or refuse to hire someone simply because they have a disability. They must also provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would impose an undue hardship.

Examples of disability: Disabilities may include chronic illnesses (diabetes, epilepsy), mobility impairments (requiring a wheelchair or cane), mental health conditions (depression, ADHD), or any condition that limits major life activities. Even an impairment in remission (like cancer in remission) or a record of an impairment is covered.
Reasonable accommodations: Employers must adjust the work environment or duties so a qualified disabled employee can do the job. Examples include installing ramps or ergonomic equipment, modifying schedules or allowing telework, providing assistive technology, or reassigning marginal job duties. An employer cannot illegally refuse reasonable accommodation requests. Denial of accommodation without valid reason can be discrimination.
Medical & family leave: Minnesota employees are entitled to take unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for serious health conditions (up to 12 weeks) and for certain family events. Minnesota also has its own leave laws: for example, the Minnesota Parental Leave Act covers parental leave, and upcoming Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) will provide paid leave starting in 2026. An employer cannot lawfully terminate or harass an employee for taking covered medical or family leave.
Workers’ compensation: If you are injured on the job, you are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, and cannot be fired simply because you filed a workers’ comp claim or even implied you may file a claim.

Common examples of disability discrimination include firing an employee after they request a brief leave for surgery, penalizing someone for missed time due to medication side effects, or refusing to transfer a disabled worker to a vacant position. If an employer ignores a doctor’s note and refuses to provide a needed accommodation (e.g. part-time hours or equipment), that is also illegal.

Zack Johnson Law, LLC represents Minnesota clients with disability and leave issues. We can evaluate whether your firing or discipline violated the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Minnesota Human Rights Act. We also assist with FMLA and Minnesota leave claims. If you were denied an accommodation or punished for taking medical leave or after stating that you will or may be taking a leave, our attorneys will work to recover damages on your behalf. Contact Minnesota disability and leave attorney Zack Johnson for a free consultation about your rights and remedies.

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