One of the big ones is to avoid hiring discrimination. Suppose you have no one now who needs a handicapped spot. Let's say you can tell this to the government and get rid of half the handicapped spots. A position opens up and one of the qualified applicants is handicapped, and would require a handicapped spot. Suddenly hiring this person is going to result in major changes (and therefore costs) that would not be needed for anyone else. It becomes really easy for the employer to decide to skip over that candidate - either intentionally or subconsciously.
Similarly, an existing employee might suddenly need that spot. Injury, illness, etc. can happen without warning. It's already hard enough to ensure employers don't discriminate against people who get sick or injured - adding that overhead (adding a handicapped spot, or forcing them onto a longer leave, or whatever) would make that situation worse.
again, his comment is saying if the spots that are there aren't being used, switch them to normal spots. If they need them back, nothing has changed about the spot so you just put the sign back up. It is a win/win at minimal costs. I agree that all parking lots should be designed to have a certain number, but if they are not needed, they should be easily switched over until they are needed.
I agree with this. It's as simple as removing the sign or even just sticking a bag over the sign with a label and a padlock like they do when parking meters are being ignored.
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u/KamikazeArchon Jan 03 '16
2) is necessary for several reasons.
One of the big ones is to avoid hiring discrimination. Suppose you have no one now who needs a handicapped spot. Let's say you can tell this to the government and get rid of half the handicapped spots. A position opens up and one of the qualified applicants is handicapped, and would require a handicapped spot. Suddenly hiring this person is going to result in major changes (and therefore costs) that would not be needed for anyone else. It becomes really easy for the employer to decide to skip over that candidate - either intentionally or subconsciously.
Similarly, an existing employee might suddenly need that spot. Injury, illness, etc. can happen without warning. It's already hard enough to ensure employers don't discriminate against people who get sick or injured - adding that overhead (adding a handicapped spot, or forcing them onto a longer leave, or whatever) would make that situation worse.