It is not always easy to know because the law on this topic can be complex. Whenever you are in doubt, it’s important to get help from a lawyer who can apply the law to your specific situation.
Here’s an example of when it’s not entirely clear if a job requirement is essential:
Fara is looking for work. She is an experienced salesperson and she has sight loss which prevents her from driving.
Fara sees a job advertisement for a sales associate position that will require frequent travel to different client locations. The job advertisement includes a requirement that “all applicants must have a driver’s licence”.
If most clients are located nearby, then Fara could take a taxi to meet clients. The cost of a local taxi will probably not cause undue hardship to the employer. In this case, the requirement that applicants must have a driver’s licence is probably not essential to the job.
However, if most clients are located far away, the cost of travelling by taxi to remote locations might create an undue hardship for the employer. In this case, the requirement that applicants must have a driver’s licence could be essential to the job.
Employers do not have a legal duty to accommodate you if you are unable to meet an “essential requirement” of a job because of your disability.
If possible, it may be beneficial to talk through potential accommodations with an employer.