Employers should be able to apply to the IV for job adjustments
Published: Tuesday, Mar 5th 2024, 12:20
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Not only employees, but also employers should be able to submit applications to the disability insurance (IV) for workplace adjustments for people with disabilities. This is what Parliament is demanding with a motion.
On Tuesday, the Council of States passed a motion by National Councillor Christian Lohr (center/TG) by 28 votes to 6 with 3 abstentions. At present, only employees can apply to the IV for adjustments to their place of work, for example specifically adapted standing devices or structural changes.
More efficient process
Lohr argued that this makes communication more difficult. If employers could also submit applications themselves, the process would become more efficient. However, employers should inform their affected employees when they submit applications to the IV.
The majority in the Council of States considered this approach to be sensible in order to simplify the professional integration of people with disabilities. The majority justified their supportive stance by saying that the demand came from people with disabilities.
A minority requested a No. The request may seem plausible at first glance, said Hannes Germann (SVP/SH). However, there is the question of employers' access to sensitive data of IV insured persons. A request from the employer would contradict the principle that IV registration is voluntary.
Concerns from the Federal Council
The Federal Council was also against the motion. Social Affairs Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider pointed out that applications for medical aids could also involve very intimate medical problems. In addition to the employer and employee, medical experts must also be involved in the adaptation of a workplace.
Even if the employee must be informed about an application, this does not mean consent. This should not be trivialized.
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