Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Practice Exam

What constitutes a reasonable accommodation in the workplace?

1. Changing job duties to fit the employer's needs

2. Adjusting job requirements for all candidates

3. Modifying processes to assist qualified individuals with disabilities

4. Setting quotas for hiring based on disability status

The correct answer is: Modifying processes to assist qualified individuals with disabilities

A reasonable accommodation in the workplace refers to modifications or adjustments to a job or work environment that enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. This concept is rooted in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which aims to provide equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The chosen answer highlights the crucial aspect of modifying processes to accommodate individuals with disabilities, ensuring that they have the same opportunities to succeed as their peers. This can include changes such as providing assistive technology, altering work schedules, or creating accessible workspaces. These accommodations do not lower job standards but rather allow individuals with disabilities to meet those standards effectively. In contrast, changing job duties to fit the employer's needs does not reflect the intent of reasonable accommodations, which focus on supporting the employee rather than altering the job to serve the employer's requirements. Adjusting job requirements for all candidates may result in unfair advantages or disadvantages and does not comply with the ADA, which emphasizes individualized accommodations. Lastly, setting quotas for hiring based on disability status could violate non-discrimination principles and does not align with the principle of merit-based hiring, as reasonable accommodations should assist current employees rather than serve as a basis for hiring practices.