Alberta Precision Laboratories

LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING #19

BETWEEN

ALBERTA PRECISION LABORATORIES
(hereinafter referred to as the Employer)

- and -

HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF ALBERTA
(hereinafter referred to as the Union)

RE:  DUTY TO ACCOMMODATE

WHEREAS the parties agree in order to facilitate the multi-party duty to accommodate, and in accordance with the Employer’s Workplace Accommodation Policy and Workplace Accommodation Process Guideline, the parties agree as follows:

1. The parties acknowledge they share the responsibility for the duty to accommodate Employees up to the point of undue hardship. The parties also acknowledge that working together to ensure Employees are accommodated in a manner that provides meaningful work and promotes a culture of inclusiveness is of particular importance in the health care sector.

2. The Employer shall provide the Union with a copy of an Employee’s Request for Accommodation Form within ten (10) working days of receipt of the form in Human Resources. 

3. The Employer shall provide the Employee with a copy of the accommodation process and policy guide. 

4. Once the Employer has received the Employee’s Request for Accommodation Form they will meet with the Employee without undue delay to develop a plan. The Union may be present if requested by either party. 

5. All parties involved will respect the right to privacy of the Employee seeking the accommodation, communicating only information that is pertinent to the accommodation process to those involved in the accommodation.  

6. It is understood that Employees must be available to participate in the accommodation process and as such, where the Employer requires the Employee to attend a meeting regarding a placement, the Employer shall consult the Employee as to their availability. 

7. If at any point during the process of accommodation a dispute arises, either party may refer the matter to the Internal Grievance Mediation referenced in Letter of Understanding #15. 

This Letter of Understanding will expire September 30, 2024, or upon the date of ratification of the next Collective Agreement, whichever is later.