Prayers for Religious Holiday Time Off May Need to Be Accommodated by Employers
Knowing several religious holidays are coming up soon, employers can take steps to avoid triggering religious discrimination and reasonable accommodation lawsuits. Consistently applying paid time off rules can help to prevent discrimination, retaliation, and religious reasonable accommodation claims. Quick Hits Private and public employers with fifteen or more workers must accommodate reasonable requests from workers to observe religious holidays (pursuant to federal law; however, state law coverage varies and might only require one or more workers). Employers may avoid confusion by clearly stating leave policies and company holidays in the employee handbook. Employers can use online systems or software to detect patterns in approving or denying requests for leave on religious holidays. With many religious holidays taking place in the next two months, employers are likely to see many requests for time off for religious celebrations. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits e...