reasonable accommodations for ptsd

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and common disability in the United States and globally.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), about 6% of Americans will struggle with PTSD. And the effects of PTSD can be devastating. Victims are stuck reliving the event through nightmares and flashbacks.

They also struggle to avoid “triggers” and overcome negative thoughts and feelings. 

For federal employees living with PTSD, balancing the demands of work and mental health can be incredibly challenging.

Fortunately, federal law provides legal protections and workplace accommodations for PTSD.

This blog post will cover the basics surrounding PTSD reasonable accommodations for federal employees and address common questions about your rights in the workplace, including:

  • When is PTSD a disability?
  • Is PTSD covered under the ADA?
  • What are common PTSD reasonable accommodation examples?
  • How do I request workplace accommodations for PTSD?

At Pines Federal, we understand how overwhelming it can be to request accommodations for PTSD while balancing the challenges of federal employment. If you have more specific questions or need legal advice, consult our federal EEOC reasonable accommodations lawyers

Get started by calling (800) 801-0598 or sending us an online message today.

Understanding PTSD

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as combat, a serious accident, assault, or a natural disaster. Many people may struggle physically and emotionally after these kinds of stressful, life-threatening incidents. 

However, individuals with PTSD face physical and mental symptoms that last far beyond the immediate aftermath of the traumatic event, including:

  • Unwanted and sudden memories of the traumatic event (i.e., flashbacks),
  • Severe anxiety and fear in places or situations that remind you of the event,
  • Memory problems and difficulty concentrating,
  • Irritability and angry outbursts,
  • Nightmares and trouble sleeping,
  • Being easily startled or frightened, and
  • Physical reactions, such as sweating, high blood pressure, tremors, or difficulty breathing.

Individuals who’ve suffered prolonged or repeated exposure to trauma may experience a closely related condition called complex PTSD. In addition to the symptoms above, individuals with complex PTSD may also suffer from difficulties in emotional regulation, persistent depression, and challenges in forming relationships or working with others.

Overall, the effects of either condition can pose significant problems for federal workplace employees trying to keep up with their job demands.

Is PTSD a Disability?

Yes. Originally, there was some controversy over whether PTSD and other mental conditions were disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) changed everything.

The ADAAA broadened the definition of “disability” in the ADA to incorporate a wide variety of conditions. The ADAAA states that any medical or physical impairment that affects a major life activity constitutes a disability.

Major life activities include sleeping, dressing oneself, working, thinking, eating, walking, and interacting with others. Because PTSD affects many major life activities, it undoubtedly qualifies. 

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Is PTSD Covered Under the ADA?

Yes, it is.

Individuals with PTSD symptoms that disrupt major life activities are entitled to rights and benefits under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including:

  • Protection from discrimination or retaliation in employment due to their condition, and
  • Reasonable accommodations to help them do their job despite their limitations.

For federal employees, the right to discrimination protections and reasonable accommodations for PTSD comes from a different law: the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Rehab Act was the basis for the ADA, which only extended disability protections to private employees in 1990. Today, both laws use the same eligibility standards and offer the same protections.

[DOWNLOAD] Reasonable Accommodations for Federal Employees

PTSD Reasonable Accommodation Examples

Reasonable accommodations are adjustments to your work environment or duties that help you manage your PTSD symptoms. Federal employees with PTSD can receive a variety of work accommodations. 

Just a few examples of reasonable accommodations for PTSD include:

  • Flexible scheduling. By giving you more flexibility with your schedule, you can more easily attend counseling sessions and therapeutic appointments. 
  • Occasional work breaks. Stress plays a major role in triggering PTSD attacks. With occasional work breaks, you can reduce the chances of an attack or take steps to deal with PTSD symptoms that arise. 
  • Private work area. Access to a quiet area to perform job duties can help employees whose symptoms are triggered by noise or stressful, busy environments. Noise-canceling headphones or a white-noise machine can also be helpful. 
  • Special equipment and workspace modifications. Certain tools and alterations to the positioning of a workspace can help address potential triggers. For example, an individual with high anxiety about being startled could have a mirror or sensor placed by the entrance to their workstation to alert them to anyone approaching. 
  • Restructuring duties. Adjusting responsibilities to reduce high-stress tasks or interactions can be beneficial for individuals with PTSD. Breaking projects or large tasks into smaller steps can help employees manage their time and stress.
  • Allowing you to bring your service animal to work. This option can be tricky in certain office conditions, so it is especially important to have an attorney represent you if you are requesting a service animal. 
  • Telework.  Part-time or full-time working from home can benefit employees who suffer from severe PTSD symptoms, especially those intensified by their workplace. By allowing you to perform your duties in a safe and familiar environment, telework can reduce exposure to triggers and give you space to manage anxiety so that you can perform your job effectively. 

These are just a few examples of the potential PTSD or complex PTSD accommodations a federal employee could request. Contact a qualified federal reasonable accommodation lawyer to learn more.

How to Prove Your Case for PTSD Work Accommodations

Let’s talk through the steps to getting reasonable accommodations for PTSD and some tips that can help you in the process:

  • Submit your request in writing. Send your request in a letter to your HR department or supervisor so there’s a record of making it. In the letter, explain your physical or cognitive limitations, how they impact your job, and accommodations that would help you overcome these limitations. 
  • Provide medical documentation. Work with your healthcare provider to obtain documentation that outlines your diagnosis, symptoms, and recommended accommodations. Your employer doesn’t need access to your full medical history—just enough information to understand your needs.
  • Prepare for an interactive process. Federal law requires your employer to engage in an interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations. This means you’ll discuss potential solutions together and try out potential accommodations for some time to assess their effectiveness.

Be aware: there are no guaranteed PTSD reasonable accommodations federal employees can expect to receive. Reasonable accommodations vary depending on job duties, work environment, and employer resources. Federal law doesn’t require your employer to provide your first-choice accommodation.

If a request poses an undue hardship to their operations, they can’t be forced to accommodate it. However, they must work with you until you find another arrangement that meets your needs.

Curious to Learn More About PTSD Reasonable Accommodations for Federal Employees? Pines Federal Can Help 

reasonable accommodations for ptsd

Thanks to the ADA, people living with PTSD have many different reasonable accommodation options.

Yet employers are sometimes too prejudiced by old stigmas to provide you with the rights you deserve.

Other times, your agency may be too small or too inexperienced with the latest legal updates to provide you with the accommodation you need.

So, if you’re a federal employee with PTSD who requires reasonable accommodation, get legal help today. 

At Pines Federal, our attorneys have both experience and dedication. We want all federal employees to enjoy all their rights under the law.

It’s also vital to us that federal employees with PTSD be able to work without fear of anxiety attacks and flashbacks. Because of our passion, our attorneys have spent decades representing federal employees.

And thanks to our efforts, countless clients have been able to exercise their rights. Let us make the reasonable accommodation process easier and more effective.

Get started by calling (800) 801-0598 or filling out our online form today.

Questions about reasonable accommodations? Request a consultation online Or, call our office at (800) 801-0598