Modified and Reduced Work Schedules Under the ADA

Creator: WorkWell Evals
Published: 2026-06-01T00:00:00.000Z

Jun 1, 2026

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A modified or reduced work schedule is a recognized reasonable accommodation under the ADA. It means adjusting when or how many hours you work so that a disability does not prevent you from doing your job. Examples include a flexible start time, a compressed week, reduced hours, or longer breaks. Here is what counts, real examples, and how to request one.

What is a modified work schedule?

A modified work schedule changes the timing or structure of your hours rather than the job itself. The EEOC's enforcement guidance on reasonable accommodation treats adjusting when and how work is performed as a form of accommodation an employer must consider, absent undue hardship. A reduced schedule is a related but distinct accommodation that lowers the total number of hours worked.

Examples of modified and reduced work schedules

Flexible start and end times, for example a later start to accommodate medication side effects or morning symptoms.
A compressed workweek, such as four longer days instead of five.
Reduced or part-time hours for a defined period.
Additional or longer breaks spread through the day.
A shifted schedule to avoid a high-stress commute window, which can matter for anxiety or PTSD.
An adjusted or intermittent schedule that flexes around predictable symptom flare-ups.

For the broader category and related changes, see your hub guide on ADA accommodation schedule changes, and for schedule-based options written in plain language, the Washington University in St. Louis page on schedule-based accommodations.

How to request a modified work schedule

Document the functional limitations that make the schedule change necessary, submit the request to HR, and engage in the interactive process. As with any accommodation, the documentation does the work: see what an accommodation letter should include and the step-by-step request guide.

A modified schedule is not the same as taking leave

A modified or reduced schedule keeps you working, just on different hours. That is different from being away from work entirely. Note that reducing your total hours can affect pay and benefits, so it is worth clarifying those terms with HR when you request it.

What employers can and cannot do

An employer must consider a schedule accommodation and engage in good faith, but it is not required to eliminate an essential function, lower production or performance standards, or grant the exact schedule you prefer when another effective option exists. If a modified schedule would impose undue hardship, the employer can propose an effective alternative instead.

Frequently asked questions

What does a modified schedule mean? It means changing the timing or structure of your work hours, such as start and end times, break timing, or a compressed week, while keeping the job the same.

Is a reduced work schedule an ADA accommodation? It can be, when fewer hours are what allow you to perform your job because of a disability.

How do I ask for a modified schedule? Request it from HR in writing, supported by documentation of your functional limitations, then work through the interactive process.

Can my employer deny it? Yes, if it would remove an essential function or cause undue hardship, though the employer should then consider an effective alternative. See what to do if your request is denied.