Workplace Accommodations

Did you know members of CUPE 3903 are entitled to workplace accommodations for illness, disability, family status, and other Ontario Human Rights Code grounds?

Every member who is considering requesting a workplace accommodation is strongly advised to contact Nadia Kanani, CUPE 3903 Staff Representative Equity, at cupe3903equity@gmail.com. Getting advice on how to frame your request and what kind of documentation will be necessary will increase your chances of a smooth process. 

Workplace Accommodations Procedure

1. You or your union representative contact Employee Well-Being (EWB). If you are emailing EWB yourself we recommend you copy in a union representative.
2. EWB staff will follow up with you and either:
   1. Request an intake meeting to assess your accommodation needs, or
   2. Send you a list of questions to have your medical practitioner fill out.
3. Once EWB receives medical documentation they may:
   1. Request a meeting with you to discuss accommodation needs, or
   2. Begin developing a workplace accommodation plan.
4. EWB will then contact the Associate Dean and the Hiring Unit to inquire about adjustments to job duties, implementation of accommodations and/or work availability (no disclosure of disability or medical information to either the Hiring Unit, Course Director, or Associate Dean). 
5. EWB will then draft an Accommodated Work Plan (AWP) and send it to you (and union representative if requested).
6. You will review the AWP and, if appropriate, sign the AWP (If the AWP does not meet your needs fully, you are encouraged to contact the CUPE 3903 Staff Representative Equity).
7. Once the plan is signed and submitted to EWB, the Associate Dean appoints someone to monitor the implementation of the AWP.
8. Accommodations are reviewed and renewed on an annual basis.

If you are not sure whether you are eligible for an accommodation, or whether one is right for you, you are always welcome to contact the Staff Representative Equity. Every conversation with Nadia is strictly confidential and does not obligate you to any next steps.

Workplace Accommodations Info Sessions Slides

The CUPE 3903 Staff Representative Equity prepared a presentation on workplace accommodations, delivered in 2021-22. The latest version is from January 13th, 2022. You can access the slides here:

Plain text file for e-readers:

Accommodations for Graduate Students

If you require accommodations as a graduate student, you will have to apply separately through Student Accessibility Services.