Perhaps you already know the rising trend of emotional support animals. While these animals are not regulated in South Africa, their Employment Equity Act (EEA) says that employers should give reasonable accommodation to people with disabilities.

Employers must ask for medical proof that the employee, has indeed, a disability. Next, an employer shall determine whether having the emotional support animal in the workplace is reasonable. They may be required to grant an employee’s request if the animal does not cause a disruption to the workplace, is well-behaved, and if it helps the individual perform his duties better.

Lauren Salt, an executive in ENSafrica’s employment department, says that employers should not dismiss the requests for emotional support animals no matter how absurd they may sound. However, employers should keep in mind that not all requests will be genuine.

Article source: businesstech.co.za

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