Service Animals In The Workplace California. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Set ground rules in advance for service or comfort animals in the workplace.

Service animals function as an aid to individuals with a disability, whether helping with major life functions or acting as a type of alarm of a coming episode. Thanks to california's fair employment and housing act, job applicants and employees are protected from discrimination in the workplace due to a physical or mental medical disorder that is disabling, potentially disabling or perceived to be disabling or potentially disabling. Arizona, california, minnesota, new jersey, and texas now have criminal penalties including jail time for such misrepresentations, with more states looking to follow.

California employers can require the following from “workplace” emotional support animals:

California state law (csl) service animals are allowed in dining and sales areas “not used for food preparation” only, and employees with service animals must wash their hands after handling the animal. Special rule for service animals: The ada does not specifically address or require the inclusion of service animals in the workplace. The june 2019 california employer update (ceu), a digital monthly newsletter, has a longer article on how to prevent service animal fraud.