Religious Accommodation

durasupreme · February 2003

New situation for us - ee came to me stating she wanted/needed to take 2-3 days off in April for religious reasons (did not specify), and wanted to use the "school conferences" time that ee's here in MN are elibible for w/o having time chargeable or using vacation. I explained she could not use the religious time off for school conference time - not allowed. I just discovered she is Jewish and is likely requesting time off for Passover. Does anyone out there know what the restrictions are (such as not working, etc.) for Passover and the other Jewish holidays? Can anyone enlighten me?

watrsflo · February 2003

Sorry, I don't know the answer to your specific question, but for some exhaustive discussion on a similar issue, you might want to look at the thread "Martin Luther King Jr Day" in archives.

Whatever · February 2003

Judaism is not monolithic. It ranges from Reform to Ultra-orthdox. Therefore, you should be talking to the employee and finding out what religious holidays she needs to take off for in this year. Then you must make the same reasonable accomodation as you would for anyone else who takes a day off for religious observance.

As an aside, the law does not require the ee belong to an organized religion. It does require that moral, ethical or religious belief to be sincerely held. Therefore, it does not matter how anybody else practices a particular a religion, it only matters how the particular employee practices it.

hrbanker · February 2003

What does your policy say? If the school conferences time is not to be used for anything but school, I wouldn't begin making exceptions.

We address the issue by allowing employees to observe holidays not on our schedule by taking a PTO day (vacation or personal day) or by taking an unpaid, excused absence. They have to be scheduled in advance and will be approved as long as it doesn't interfere with business.

Don D · February 2003

This is exactly why I continue to be uncomfortable with the fact that we recognize only Christmas (two days) and Good Friday as religious holidays. Again, as I've often stated, we have quite a mix of ethnicity and religion here ranging from Vietnamese, Muslim, Jewish, Chinese, Spanish and pagan. I'm sure that eventually The Supremes will address this issue.

watrsflo · February 2003

"...the Supremes"? As in "Being?"

Don D · February 2003

An often used 'shortcut' for the Supreme Court.

Whatever · February 2003

I thought they were a singing group

Don D · February 2003

Actually, only Ginsberg can carry a tune. Thomas can hum along with a shot of good whiskey.

watrsflo · February 2003

x:7

...and then there's our own "duraSUPREME"--originator of this thread.

Riley · February 2003

Don, is there a change in weather down south or are you just feeling ornery today?

Don D · February 2003

Well, yes. It's 65 today for some reason. I'm in a great mood. There's a full moon, the kids are not coming home and my wife is paying for my dinner tonite.

Religious Accommodation

Comments