Importance and benefits of accommodating diverse religious holidays

Published: October 18, 2024 | by Robert S. Teachout, Legal Editor at Brightmine

The final months of each year include numerous holidays — holy days — for many religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and others. Recognizing holidays, regardless of the religion employees practice, is crucial for fostering an inclusive workplace.

For many, religion is a core aspect of their identity and can profoundly influence their approach to work. Embracing the diverse holiday needs of employees can significantly boost morale and foster a more inclusive workplace. This requires thoughtful handling and systematic planning, as many of these holidays include work restrictions for observant employees. By respecting the cultural and religious needs of their employees, employers help foster and can benefit from an inclusive and harmonious workplace.

A common issue related to religious accommodation includes time off for religious holidays and significant events. While there is no automatic right to such leave, employers should sensitively accommodate reasonable requests if they do not affect legitimate business needs. For example, a small retailer with only a few employees might struggle with staffing during peak times, such as the Christmas season, compared to a larger organization that is better equipped to manage leave requests. Reasonable adjustments for religious practices enhance workplace inclusivity through transparent and flexible working practices.

Nondiscrimination and religious accommodation

Although holiday leave is not a right, federal, state and local laws prohibit discrimination based on religion and prohibit retaliation for engaging in protected activities, such as requesting religious accommodation. As the workforce becomes increasingly diverse, prudent employers should be sensitive to the religious practices of their employees, including employee requests for time off based on religious holidays.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits covered employers from discriminating based on religion and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for religious beliefs, unless doing so imposes an undue hardship on the business. The Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Groff v. DeJoy clarified that a religious accommodation imposes undue hardship when the burden is substantial in the overall context of the employer’s business. Factors such as the nature of the job, the availability of other employees, and the applicability of any collective bargaining agreements are crucial in determining undue hardship.

An accommodation is any change that allows an employee to perform their work while adhering to their religious practices. This might involve changes in scheduling, modifications to dress and grooming policies, job reassignments, leave and time off, or changes to workplace tasks. The accommodation must resolve the conflict between religious practice and workplace policies without eliminating the essential functions of the job or lowering production standards uniformly applied to all employees.

Challenges for employers

Employers may face several challenges when accommodating diverse religious holidays:

By recognizing and accommodating the religious holidays of employees, employers not only comply with legal requirements but also create a more dynamic, innovative, and engaged workforce, ultimately benefiting the organization’s bottom line.

Including and supporting religious holidays