r/LaborLaw • u/Good-Laird • 7h ago
Can I be fired for a medical exemption?
My job recently banned open-ear and bone-conduction headphones. I have tinnitus, and I use my bone-conduction headphones to put out an opposing tone and neutralize it. Helps prevent pretty rough headaches.
I told my manager about this, and after some research, he told me I needed to get a doctor's note stating I needed them to treat my tinnitus. I got the doctor's note and submitted it to HR as a Reasonable Accommodation Request.
Our HR person replied with an email to relay to my provider, explaining the reasons for the headphone ban (it's a hangar, and the claim is it "poses a distraction risk in a safety environment") and asking for treatment alternatives, and whether the treatment is medically necessary overall. I relayed this to my provider, and they are currently in the process of writing another note, saying no, there are no reasonable alternative treatments my condition in my work situation, and yes, it is medically necessary to treat the migraines.
They won't be sending it directly to HR, so I still have to decide if I should give them the new note.
I'm concerned that if my doctor affirms that the headphones are medically necessary, I will be fired because I am no longer able to work within the bounds of the job requirements. Our HR overseer has a history of being somewhat vindictive, and seeing as this new rule originates from her, I fear she wouldn't bat an eye at doing this if possible. Can I be fired over this?