Impacts of ADA and OSHA
Impacts of ADA and OSHA
Q: The ADA and OSHA are two pivotal pieces of legislation that impact modern day work practices. Based on your readings and your personal/professional experiences, have these laws enhanced or detracted from the ability of American companies to compete in the global marketplace?
The American with Disability Act (ADA) was enacted in 1990 by Congress to assure people with disability of equal opportunity to employment, full participation and economic self-empowerment. Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 on the other hand, is legislation that is intended to ensure that men and women working in all states in the U.S do so in safe conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the Department of Labor is responsible for promoting healthy working conditions and inspecting the working environments (Michaels, 2012). I believe that these two pieces of legislations have enhanced the ability of American companies to compete in the global market place. In the modern global market, consumers tend to conscious about the working in the companies producing consumer goods. Companies that are deemed to treat their employees in the right way tend to be favored by the consumers and hence, their products attract more buyers. Companies that apply both pieces of legislation also benefit from reduced costs associated with employees’ laws suits regarding discrimination due to disability status and also due to workplace fatalities ("OSHA Content Document", 2016).
The ADA and OSHA legislations remain relevant in the modern era. More organizations are advocating for the rights of workers now around the world than there was when these legislations were put in place (Bennett-Alexander, & Hartman, 2012). It is important to have these legislations so that they keep reminding employers of their obligations as regards to the rights of persons with disabilities. It is important that persons with disabilities are judged by what they can do to help their employer achieve objectives rather than their physical condition (Bennett-Alexander, & Hartman, 2012).
References
Bennett-Alexander, D. D., & Hartman, L. P. (2012). Employment Law for Business (Seventh Edition) . New York: McGraw-Hill.
Michaels, D. (2012). OSHA does not kill jobs; It helps prevent jobs from killing workers. Am. J. Ind. Med., 55(11), 961-963. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22122
OSHA Content Document. (2016). Osha.gov. Retrieved 9 May 2016, from https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT&p_id=2743
