Page 59 - Healthcare News July/August 2022

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function to screen out the applicant unlawfully due to their disability, even though the individual would be capable of performing the essential functions of the position for which they were applying with (or without) an accommodation.
Finally, the EEOC guidance reminds employers that if a software-based screening tool asks questions that require employees to disclose medical conditions or other disabil- ity-related information, it may be an unlawful, disability- related inquiry that violates the ADA.
The guidance also cautions employers that they can be li- able for discrimination caused by software-based screening tools, even if the employer did not create the tool. In other words, utilizing software developed by an outside vendor
does not insulate an employer from liability.
Although the EEOC highlighted several issues that might
make the use of software-based screening tools problematic under the ADA, it also provided employers with guidance on steps they can take to help mitigate their risk, includ- ing, but not limited to: making it clear how an individual may request an accommodation related to the screening tool or the use of the software; promptly and appropriately responding to all requests for such accommodations; thor- oughly questioning the methodology used by the software the businesses uses, including asking the software provider whether it was developed with individuals with disabilities in mind and what the software provider did to make the interface accessible to individuals with disabilities; and ask- ing the software provider if it attempted to determine if any algorithm used by the software disadvantages individuals with disabilities.
Employers should not expect the concerns raised by the
EEOC over the use of software-based screening tools to stop at the ADA. Just weeks before the EEOC issued this guidance, the EEOC filed a lawsuit against iTutorGroup Inc., Shanghai Ping’An Intelligent Education Technology Co. Ltd., and Tutor Group Ltd., alleging that the com- panies’ online recruitment software was programmed to automatically reject female applicants over age 55 and male applicants over age 60 in violation of the Age Discrimina- tion in Employment Act.
Given the growing use of software-based screening tools, it is imperative that employers thoroughly evaluate their own software and their vendor-provided software for any possible discriminatory bias and seek legal advice with regard to their evaluation whenever appropriate. v
Amelia Holstrom is a partner with the Springfield- based law firm Skoler Abbott, and Trevor Brice is an associate with Skoler Abbott; (413) 737-4753.
HCN INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
ALBER HEARING SERVICES................................................................ 24 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION ............................................................... 5 THE ARBORS ..................................................................................... 23 ARMBROOK VILLAGE ........................................................................ 36 BACON\WILSON............................................................................ 3, 30 BAYSTATE HEALTH FOUNDATION....................................................... 33 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK (BHN) ............................................ 21 BERKSHIREBANK ............................................................................31 BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY .................................................................... 32 BFAIR ................................................................................................ 20 BIG Y ................................................................................................. 17 CENTER FOR EXTENDED CARE & REHAB............................................ 39 EAST LONGMEADOW MEMORY CARE ASSISTED LIVING ................... 42 FALLON HEALTH .......................................................................... 10, 15 FLORENCE HEARING HEALTH CARE................................................... 26 FLORENCE SAVINGS BANK.................................................................. 7 GLENMEADOW ................................................................................. 25 GOLDEN YEARS HOMECARE SERVICES ............................................. 18 GREATER SPRINGFIELD SENIOR SERVICES (GSSS)............................ 38 HAMPDEN HEARING CENTER............................................................ 26 HEALTH NEW ENGLAND ............................................. 29, BACK COVER
HEALTHCARE HEROES ................................................................... 2, 20 HEALTHCARE NEWS EDITORIAL PLANNING CALENDAR .................... 58 HOLYOKE MEDICAL CENTER.................................................. 16, 25, 40 HOME CARE HANDS ......................................................................... 39 HOSPICE OF THE FISHER HOME ....................................................... 41 JGS LIFECARE & NORTHEAST REHAB................................................. 22 LATHROP COMMUNITIES, THE .......................................................... 21 LOUIS & CLARK PHARMACY .............................................................. 19 MALMBORG WEALTH CONSULTING GROUP...................................... 27 MASON WRIGHT ......................................................................... 16, 40 MEYERS BROTHERS KALICKA, P.C. ...................................................... 5 OASIS SENIOR ADVISORS ................................................................. 36 POWERS LAW GROUP ....................................................................... 35 PUFFER’S SALON & DAY SPA................................................................ 9 RIVER VALLEY COUNSELING CENTER................................................. 43 SHATZ, SCHWARTZ & FENTIN............................................................ 35 VISITING ANGELS .............................................................................. 37 YMCA OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD ..................................................... 47
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