Erin McLaughlin, shareholder in the firm's Labor & Employment section is quoted in an Inc. article "Answers to Your 3 Top Questions About Face Masks in the Workplace.

If, for example, an employee has a disability, like asthma, and has difficulty breathing through a mask, then under the Americans With Disabilities Act, you must attempt to accommodate that employee, says McLaughlin. You can provide a shield or other protective device that's not a mask, or offer an extended period of leave. 

"It should always be a conversation," says McLaughlin, "but if it's a furlough, you should exhaust all other options before you go there."

Originally published June 2, 2020

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.