Workplace glossary

What is Duty to Accommodate (Canada)?

Definition & practical guide1 min read

The duty to accommodate is the Canadian human rights obligation on employers to adjust work and workplaces for employees’ protected needs, including disability and family status, up to the point of undue hardship.

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In flexible offices, accommodation is often spatial: a guaranteed adjustable workstation, a quiet zone, parking near the entrance or a predictable schedule. Booking systems make those accommodations reliable by reserving them, rather than leaving them to daily luck. The US parallel is ADA compliance.

Common questions

What does Duty to Accommodate (Canada) mean in simple terms?

The duty to accommodate is the Canadian human rights obligation on employers to adjust work and workplaces for employees’ protected needs, including disability and family status, up to the point of undue hardship.

What are the compliance implications of Duty to Accommodate (Canada)?

In flexible offices, accommodation is often spatial: a guaranteed adjustable workstation, a quiet zone, parking near the entrance or a predictable schedule. Booking systems make those accommodations reliable by reserving them, rather than leaving them to daily luck. The US parallel is ADA compliance.