The Holidays Are Upon Us: Can an Employer Ask Employees Who Request Time Off or Another Accommodation for Religious Reasons about their Religion?

By Marylou V. Fabbo - Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C.

December 6, 2017

During the holiday season, employers may be faced with a variety of religion-related requests.  There might be questions about the display of religious symbols in their work stations or employees may request time off to accommodate their religions rather than conforming to the employer’s holiday schedule.  If you suspect that the request to display (or exclude) certain religious symbols is being made to upset a co-worker or that an employee is requesting certain days off to go shopping or take a long weekend, you are not alone.       

What Constitutes a Religious Belief?

Both state and federal law prohibit discrimination against employees and applicants based on religion, and employers are required to reasonably accommodate bona fide religious beliefs.  A “bona fide religious belief” means that the individual has a religious and sincerely held belief or practice.  Title VII defines “religion” very broadly.  It includes traditional, organized religions as well as those that are new, uncommon, not part of a formal church or sect, or only held by a small number of people.  Religious beliefs don’t need to be part of organized religion, and moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right or wrong could constitute religious beliefs.   According to the EEOC, however, “social, political or economic philosophies, or personal preferences” are not religious beliefs.

What Religious Accommodations Must An Employer Provide?

Employers may not refuse to accommodate an employee or applicant’s sincerely held religious beliefs or practices unless accommodating them would impose an undue hardship.  Some examples of accommodations that an employer would have to provide, absent undue hardship, include excusing a Christian pharmacist from filling birth control prescriptions or permitting a Muslim employee to take a break schedule that will permit daily prayers at prescribed times.  With the holidays approaching, an employee may request other accommodations such as the ability to take certain days off (other than Christmas) or to display religious symbols in their work areas.  What should an employer do in response?

When May an Employer Deny A Request for A Religious Accommodation?

Employers must grant a request for a religious accommodation unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer.  The “undue hardship” burden is lighter when it comes to religious accommodation than it is when talking about disability accommodation requests.  For religious accommodation purposes, an undue hardship exists if it would cause more than de minimis cost in terms of money or burden on the operation of the employer’s business.  Generic co-worker complaints usually are not valid reasons to deny a request for religious accommodation.

What if an Employer Suspects the Employee Wants an Accommodation for Non-Religious Reasons?

Certain behaviors may make an employer question an employee’s assertion that the employee sincerely holds a religious belief that forms the basis of a requested accommodation.  The EEOC as suggested that these behaviors may include whether the employee has behaved in a manner markedly inconsistent with the professed belief; whether the accommodation sought is a particularly desirable benefit that is likely to be sought for secular reasons; whether the timing of the request renders it suspect; and whether the employer otherwise has reason to believe the accommodation is not sought for religious reasons.

The courts, too, have recognized that an employee might use “religious beliefs” to obtain an accommodation for a personal preference rather than a religion.  In a recent case, a hospital employee  refused to receive a mandatory flu vaccination based on her religious beliefs, which included the notion that her body is a temple.  The hospital excused the employee from the mandatory vaccine and instead required her to wear a mask.  She claimed that the mask was not an acceptable alternative because it interfered with others’ ability to understand her.  During the litigation, the employer sought a detailed description of the ways in which the employee adhered to her belief that her body is a temple, and, despite the employee’s protest, the Court required her to answer the question.

It’s probably the best practice to ask the same questions to everyone who makes a religious accommodation request or only question whether an employee has a sincerely held religious belief when there is objective evidence that the request may have been made for ulterior reasons.

How Should Employers Handle Requests for Religious Accommodations?

When an employer receives a request for a religious accommodation, the employer should let the requesting employee know that it will make reasonable efforts to accommodate their religious practices.  Employers should assess each request on a case-by-case basis.  Remember, while an employer should consider the employee’s requested accommodation, employers are not required to provide an employee’s preferred religious accommodation if there’s another effective alternative.  However, be wary of affording employees who practice certain religions different treatment than afforded to those who practice other religions.  Employers should train supervisory personnel to make sure that they are aware that a reasonable accommodation may require making exceptions to regular policies or procedures.