What is the Interactive Process (IP)?

ANSWER

• The IP is an ongoing dialogue between employer and employee conducted in good faith, regarding how the employee (or applicant) is limited in his/her ability to perform the essential functions and what, if any, reasonable accommodations could enable him to perform those essential functions.
• Disability issue comes to manager or supervisor’s attention through observation or request for accommodation. 
• Consult with the employee to identify any job-related limitations.
• Ask employee for documentation of functional limitations from medical provider.
• Identify the essential and non-essential functions of the job.
• Consult with the employee and Disability Management Services to identify possible accommodations.
• Implement reasonable accommodation that is most appropriate for both the employee and the employer and is “reasonable.”
• Complete and document Reasonable Accommodation Agreement and fax form to Disability Management Services at (949) 824-9299.
• IP should not end until one of the following occurs:
  1. Employee has been reasonably accommodated,
  2. It has been determined no reasonable accommodation exists and there is no vacant alternative position for which the employee is qualified, or
  3. The employee ends the IP by failing or refusing to participate in good faith.