Providing reasonable workplace accommodations to our caregivers with disabilities

Alaska, Ballard, Burbank, Centralia, Cherry Hill, Edmonds, First Hill, Home and Community Care, Hood River, Issaquah, Kadlec, Kodiak, Los Angeles, Medford, Medical Foundations, Milwaukie, Mission Hills, Montana, Newberg, NW Washington, Olympia, Oregon, Oregon Core Leader, PAMC, PHC, PMG, POP, Portland, Providence, PSJH, Renton, Santa Monica, Seaside, Seward, South Bay, St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Patrick Hospital, St. Vincent, SW Washington, Swedish, Swedish Medical Group, Tarzana, Valdez, Walla Walla, Willamette Falls

As an employer, we are committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodations to our caregivers with disabilities.

Starting May 1, Sedgwick will provide assistance with the workplace accommodation process. You or your caregivers who request an accommodation can initiate the process by calling 855-537-4470 or online by visiting the HR portal and clicking the Leaves & work injuries icon.

Compliance tips
As a leader you play a key role in the accommodation process. Just like always, you will be asked to help evaluate a caregiver’s request for information and determine what accommodation(s) might work best for the caregiver and the department.  As you know, the process works best when everyone knows what to expect.

Starting May 1:

  • Sedgwick will act as a facilitator for gathering and sharing information necessary to evaluate the request for accommodation. Accommodation experts at Sedgwick will support the process. They will gather updated medical information from the caregiver, share relevant information with the caregiver, you as the caregiver’s leader and Human Resources, and help document action steps taken in response to the caregiver’s request.
  • Leaders are there to help evaluate the request for accommodation and make the determination about what accommodation(s) can be provided. The injury prevention and ergonomics team (IP&E) are available to help determine appropriate ergonomic equipment and worksite recommendations. Remember, Human Resources and Sedgwick are there to serve as resources and support you throughout this process.
  • Caregivers are critical players in the process. We will need them to provide the up-to-date necessary medical information to evaluate their request, ask questions when they need clarification and participate in the discussion about accommodation options.
  • Human Resources is there to support you as a leader and the caregiver throughout the process, and to answer any questions or concerns that might come up.

Caregivers in the middle of the accommodation process should continue to work with their HR client manager.

Tips for leaders

  • Requests. Sedgwick will notify you via email if one of your caregivers submits a request for an accommodation. If a caregiver requests help from you directly as their leader and a notification from Sedgwick is not on file, contact Sedgwick as soon as possible to ensure they are aware of the request and can provide support during the process.
  • Action required. Provide information when Sedgwick requests it. Pay special attention to emails with “Action Required” in the subject line. These emails may include important information about your caregivers’ ability to work.
  • Know your role. For more information, check out the video-based HR course on HealthStream, which includes a brief module on Core Leader Responsibilities Under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
    1. Log-in to HealthStream. Click on the “Connections” tab.
    2. Find the HR4CL courses listed under “Learning Links”. Click on Managing Leaves and Absences – HR4CL
    3. Click “Enroll”
    4. Click the first Learning Activity to beginNeed guidance or have questions? At any time, contact your HR representative or the accommodation specialist assigned to your caregiver’s request if you have questions about the new process.