How to Handle an Employee's Request for Religious Accommodation
Page Contents
- Step 1: Develop an Understanding of the Employee's Request
- Step 2: Respond Promptly and in Good Faith to the Request
- Step 3: Determine if the Request Is Reasonable or an Undue Hardship
- Step 4: Engage in the Interactive Process With the Employee
- Step 5: Encourage an Atmosphere of Tolerance, Respect and Diversity
- Additional Resources
Author: Jessica Elichman
Under both federal and state law, employers are required to accommodate an employee's sincerely held religious practice or belief, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. As a result of increased diversity in the workplace today, employers are continuously faced with new challenges in accommodating the religious beliefs of employees. Employers should follow the steps set forth below when faced with an employee's religious accommodation request.