Reference no: EM133306526

Assignment: A dockworker reveals that he has diabetes and will need additional or unscheduled breaks to either eat, take medication, or rest on occasion, but not necessarily daily. According to his doctor, these breaks should take no more than fifteen (15) minutes. Among the essential functions of a dockworker are reading the daily invoice sheets, lifting boxes up to 30 pounds and driving a forklift. The dockworkers schedule is from 5 am to 1:30 pm. They are provided with a morning and afternoon break of fifteen minutes and a half-hour lunch period. The half hour lunch period is unpaid. The loading of the trucks, the most essential function, is performed from 5:00 am to 8:00 am. The rest of the day, the dockworkers put into place the next day's deliveries and clean up the dock area. Cleaning consists of sweeping and washing the docks daily. The District Manager is concerned about the affect the applicant's condition may have on productivity, especially the morning loading.

Question: The District Manager has come to you for advice. Has there been a valid request for an accommodation? Describe the ADA analysis you would use to determine whether to grant the request. What, if any, accommodation could you offer the dockworker?