Maintaining a diverse workforce is increasingly necessary for companies to be competitive and successful in the global marketplace. But what happens when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives collide head-on with your obligation to accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs? Employers are facing such dilemmas with increasing frequency as they build and strengthen their efforts toward a diverse and equitable workplace.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many remote employees have no doubt strengthened their bonds with and emotional dependency on their pets and, in some cases, service animals. As a result, you should expect to see a surge in animal-related accommodation requests as workers return to their physical workplaces. Here are some ideas to help you properly prepare for the requests and mitigate the risks of an onset of disability discrimination claims.

To prepare for issues Oklahoma employers could face in the future, we monitor lawsuits filed in other states that present new, unique, or challenging claims. Keeping track of national trends makes you better equipped to address workplace challenges. A recent California lawsuit may offer a preview of pandemic-related claims you may encounter in your own state.