Many people with psoriasis report facing discrimination in public places such as swimming pools, hair salons and gyms, and also in the workplace, because others mistakenly fear psoriasis is contagious. Fortunately, there are federal laws designed to protect you from discrimination.
When it comes to challenging discrimination, you are your own best advocate. We’ve gathered a wealth of resources easily accessible here, to help you learn about your legal rights, and what to do if you personally experience an instance of discrimination.
For example, if your employer does not allow you to miss work for medical appointments, will not provide reasonable on-site accommodations for your disability, or does not allow you time off of work to receive phototherapy or other treatments, it constitutes illegal discrimination.
An employer may not take any adverse action against an employee because of the employee's psoriasis. The employer also has an obligation to provide reasonable accommodation to an employee with psoriasis, to allow the employee to perform the essential functions of the job. The law will protect an employee whose employer does not provide these necessary accommodations.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Employment and Housing Act provide protection against discrimination on the basis of disability.