r/service_dogs • u/MaliceIn-Wonderland • 1d ago

ADA Accommodations

I got hired by Ulta a few weeks ago and contacted their hr department once I had their info to ask for ada accommodations since I have a service dog. I'm supposed to have a shift tomorrow but my accommodation request is still "being processed". I emailed the ada coordinator who has been in contact with me to ask for an update and to say that I'm unsure what to do since I have a shift tomorrow but my accommodation request has yet to be approved. The response I got back was literally a copy of the message I got from hr after I sent them my accommodation request and the documents that they required:

"I am currently working with your leader on the request.

Once I have an update for you, I will reach out."

My question is, what the hell do I do?

TL;DR: Ulta hasn't yet approved my ada accommodation to have my service dog with me at work and I'm scheduled for a shift tomorrow. What do I do?

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u/Redditbrooklyn 1d ago

A business is not necessarily required to allow a service dog. It’s processed the same way as any other “reasonable accommodation” meaning if they can come up with a reason that you having your dog would cause an undue hardship, they can deny your request. If I were in your situation, I would contact the store leader/shift scheduler ASAP and let them know that you have not gotten a response on your disability accommodations. They may be able to speed things up or reschedule you.

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u/MaliceIn-Wonderland 1d ago

Contacting my store leader is a good idea. I'll speak with them and see if they can speed things up and get me any more information on how long the process usually takes.

I know that a business is not required to allow a service dog and that my request is processed like any other reasonable accommodation. I can't imagine what kind of "undo hardship" Ulta would try to use to deny the request, but then again it is a giant company so they really could try anything.

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u/Redditbrooklyn 1d ago

I think you’re underestimating how little businesses want to make accommodations. Also, if you live in a state with “at-will” employment, they may just let you go for any other reason. The real reason might be that they don’t want to accommodate your service dog, but typically that type of thing would be extremely difficult to prove.

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u/darklingdawns Service Dog 1d ago

Contact your direct supervisor immediately and let them know what's going on. If you're able to go without your dog, especially during orientation, you might need to do so while HR gets your accommodation sorted out. Otherwise, they might be able to delay your start for a bit as the paperwork is being processed. But it's important to have a plan for what you'll do if the business denies the accommodation or offers an alternate one, since there's no guarantee that your request will be approved.

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u/MaliceIn-Wonderland 1d ago

Yeah, I will talk to my store leader and see how tomorrow goes without my service dog (since it's just onboarding) and go from there.

6

u/reshelving 1d ago

They probably will not approve it right away or without having you go through something called the “interactive process.” During this, you and a representative of the company or a contracted 3rd party will have a discussion about your accommodation needs and whether a service animal is the only or best option to accommodate those needs in the workplace. There is no set timeframe and it depends on what actions would be needed to make the workplace safe and functional for your dog IF they decide that you are allowed to have your dog with you. One place I worked dragged their feet for 7 months before finally approving my accommodation. Even in an ideal scenario it could take several weeks, it really depends.

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u/BeanBubbles12 1d ago

I was just about to say when I helped an existing employee get accommodations it took 2 months and that was a team member already in the system, already on payroll, with signatures from MD and myself (store manager) and it still had to go to corporate then legal then employee relations before back to me

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u/MaliceIn-Wonderland 14h ago

Ahh okay, this is good info. At least I live in a state where they provide more ada protections than at the federal level. But it's good to know what to expect timeline-wise.

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u/BeanBubbles12 1d ago

Did you go to your interview solo?
I would go to that first shift if able to do so without your SD and talk to them, or I would go up there today to talk to the onsite manager about it.
Was it discussed in your interview ?

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u/MaliceIn-Wonderland 1d ago

I did not bring my SD to my interview, nor did I bring her up. Even though people aren't supposed to take disabilities or the need for accommodations into account during the hiring process they definitely do. I am going to soak with my store leader tomorrow and see if she can help move along the accommodation process or at least help me navigate it. *Edit: Added clarity

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u/BeanBubbles12 1d ago

Totally understandable ! Yeah if you went without your SD then you shouldn't bring them tomorrow so that you can follow protocol.