The recent $22.1 million verdict in the case of Billesdon vs. Wells Fargo Securities has cast a spotlight on the increasing legal risks companies face when they ignore work-from-home (WFH) requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark case underscores the critical need for employers to understand their obligations under the ADA, particularly in the evolving landscape of remote work.

The case of Billesdon vs. Wells Fargo Securities

In this high-profile case, a former managing director at Wells Fargo Securities, Robert Billesdon, was awarded a substantial sum after alleging that he was laid off for requesting to work from home as a disability accommodation. Billesdon’s impairment required him to have frequent and immediate access to a restroom, leading him to request a WFH accommodation before pandemic restrictions were lifted and employees were recalled to the office.

 …