Do you need a reasonable religious accommodation at work?

Do you need a reasonable religious accommodation at work?

On Behalf of | May 16, 2024 | Discrimination

Religion is one of the protected classes in the workplace. It is unlawful for an employer to treat an employee or a job applicant unfavorably because of their religious beliefs.

Accordingly, you can request an or your employer to make adjustments to the work environment to allow you to practice your religious practices or beliefs.

Here is how you can do this:

Grooming practices

If you need to observe a particular dress code for religious reasons, you should inform your employer. These include wearing a religious dress, head coverings, hairstyles and so on. 

You should also inform them of your religious prohibitions against certain grooming practices. For example, if your job requires everyone to wear a piece of cloth that’s prohibited in your religion.

Flexible schedule

A flexible schedule is another reasonable religious accommodation at work. For example, you can request your employer to let you leave early on certain days to go for prayers or any other religious activity.

Applicants whose interviews are scheduled on religious holidays can request a reschedule.

Voluntary shift substitutions or swaps

If your work schedule conflicts with your religious obligations, request your employer to let you swap shifts with a colleague. Find a co-worker willing to swap shifts with you and make it official.

Prayer area

Employees who need a prayer or a quiet area on the company’s premises can request their employer to provide it.

If you need an employer to make changes to your interview or work due to religious reasons, you can request them to do so. The law requires employers to provide reasonable religious accommodation unless doing so would cause undue hardship to them. Learn more to protect your rights at work.