International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) Practice Exam

What does the term "undue hardship" refer to in the context of employee accommodations?

1. An easy solution to employee needs

2. Insignificant difficulty or expense

3. A significant difficulty or expense

4. A mandatory accommodation requirement

The correct answer is: A significant difficulty or expense

The term "undue hardship" in the context of employee accommodations refers to a significant difficulty or expense that an employer may face when providing certain accommodations to an employee with a disability. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the operation of their business. This concept is designed to balance the needs of employees with disabilities against the practical limitations of the employer. Accommodations that may seem reasonable in nature could be considered overly burdensome if they require substantial financial costs or fundamentally alter the nature of the business. Therefore, the criteria for "undue hardship" includes factors such as the nature and cost of the accommodation, the overall financial resources of the employer, and the impact on the operation of the business. In contrast, other choices do not capture the legal and practical implications of "undue hardship." The notion of an easy solution to employee needs, insignificance of difficulty or expense, or a mandatory requirement does not align with the complexities involved in determining what constitutes an undue hardship in real-world scenarios. Understanding this term is essential for both employers and employees to navigate the requirements and expectations surrounding workplace accommodations.