How to Determine Essential Job Tasks

Author: Linda Segall, Segall Enterprises

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is unlawful to discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability who can perform the essential functions of a job. Essential job tasks are the basic job duties that an applicant or employee must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation.

Identifying essential job tasks opens the employment door to individuals with disabilities. It also opens the door for employers to consider all applicants who are best qualified for a job - including those they might not otherwise have considered.