Depression, PTSD, & Other Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your Legal Rights

4. How can I get a reasonable accommodation?

Ask for one. Tell a supervisor, HR manager, or other appropriate person that you need a change at work because of a medical condition. You may ask for an accommodation at any time. Because an employer does not have to excuse poor job performance, even if it was caused by a medical condition or the side effects of medication, it is generally better to get a reasonable accommodation before any problems occur or become worse. (Many people choose to wait to ask for accommodation until after they receive a job offer, however, because it's very hard to prove illegal discrimination that takes place before a job offer.) You don't need to have a particular accommodation in mind, but you can ask for something specific.