Ramadan Mubarak!
While it might seem intimidating to request accommodation at work or at school, remember that you have a right to practice your religion and there are laws that ensure you can exercise this right.
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE WORKPLACE
California law requires that an employer reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs or practices unless doing so would create an undue burden in conducting business.
WHAT IS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION?
One that eliminates the employee’s conflict between his or her religious practices and work requirements and that does not cause undue hardship for the employer. This means that the employer cannot unequivocally refuse to make a religious accommodation, but rather the employer must engage in a good-faith interactive process to resolve the conflict between your religious needs and the job’s requirements.
WHAT IS AN UNDUE HARDSHIP?
Undue hardship occurs when the following occur:
• The employer would suffer costs more than the administrative costs; or
• The accommodation diminishes efficiency in other jobs; or
• The accommodation infringes on other employees’ job rights or benefits; or
• The accommodation impairs workplace safety; or
• The accommodation conflicts with another law or regulation
WHAT ARE COMMON ACCOMMODATIONS DURING RAMADAN?
- Flexible scheduling to allow for Iftar and Tarawih
- Shift substitutions or swaps
- Job reassignments
- Modification to workplace policies (schedule, attire, etc.)
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN ASKING FOR RAMADAN ACCOMMODATION:
- Familiarize yourself with your employer’s procedures for requesting religious accommodations;
- Make it clear that you are requesting the accommodation because of your sincerely-held religious belief or practice (employers may not determine whether a religious belief or practice is required or conforms with a particular religion);
- Make the formal request to your direct supervisor or to the person designated by company policy, as early as you can;
- Follow up on your formal request in writing; and
- Your employer is not required to provide the specific or preferred accommodation you’re requesting. If your employer has given you reasonable accommodation, they will have met their legal obligations.
Click the link TO DOWNLOAD A RAMADAN RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST TEMPLATE
This template letter is not intended to give legal advice, but rather general legal information and serve as a general resource. No attorney-client relationship is created by using the templates. You should consult an attorney for legal advice specific to your situation.
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