For Airmen seeking a religious accommodation request, chaplains play a critical role in ensuring each request is fully considered in accordance with DAFI 52-201, Religious Freedom in the Department of the Air Force. The first step in requesting an accommodation in the workplace is to decide how to make the request. 4. 10 Examples of Religious Exemption Requests for Covid-19 Vaccines In the United States, employers have the responsibility to create a safe and unbiased work environment for people of different races and beliefs. Employer's name (1) Observances of Worship and Holy Days. Employees, as well as job applicants, may request a religious or reasonable accommodation from an employer requirement that conflicts with their sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances. I would like to suggest the following accommodations to address this issue: Please let me know if you need additional information or would like to discuss additional ideas. CO/OICs will accommodate . M`f"_qy7iSvvhBnq>!I+b"j0GL1Hy=3qIRrK{ 7\p%
$K'@? < e/q[4T5iC`t`]fX`W_da(dk5 GadSh7(C/?. However, I cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine because to do so would violate my sincerely held religious beliefs. Suspicious timing might arise if a worker requests and is denied time off on a Saturday and then the worker claims to have joined a religious organization that meets then and revives the request. Writing A Hardship Letter To Social Security. Notice of Liability Sample Letter. $("span.current-site").html("SHRM China ");
Attach a copy of the policy, highlighting the issue at hand. Depending on the circumstances, some examples of workplace accommodations may include: providing a woven cloth mask or personal protective equipment (PPE); physical distancing or modifying the work environment; modifying work schedules; If you have questions or concerns, please contact, Whenever possible, employees should submit vaccine exceptionrequests to OIE at least 30 days in advance of, Johns Hopkins Medicine Compliance Deadlines. This is a matter of considerable importance and urgency to me. American University will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodations to students whose sincerely held religious beliefs conflict with a university policy, procedure, or other academic requirement unless such an accommodation would create an undue hardship. Members may download one copy of our sample forms and templates for your personal use within your organization. information only on official, secure websites. Please note that all such forms and policies should be reviewed by your legal counsel for compliance with applicable law, and should be modified to suit your organizations culture, industry, and practices. Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures, File a Discrimination and Harassment Report, ADA Compliance and Disability Accommodations, Accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, Faculty and Staff Workplace Accommodations, Faculty and Staff Workplace Accommodation RequestForm, Documentation Guidelines for Individuals with Disabilities, Pre-Entrance Health Requirement Deadlines, Homewood Campus: University Housing Religious Accommodation Request Form. An employer must try to arrange to allow the employee to meet these religious obligations. Subject: Religious Accommodation for [Course Number]. You can also download it, export it or print it out. Accordingly, employers should treat religious exemption requests with care and consistency, as a matter of law and respect for your employees.Requesting a religious exemption is not a free pass, though. When May an Employer Reject a Religious Accommodation Request? . Requests for religious accommodations must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering the unique facts; the nature of the requested religious accommodation; the effect of approval or denial on the Service member's exercise of religion; and the effect of approval or denial on mission accomplishment, including unit cohesion. Hardship Letter Religious Accommodation Discrimination Example {Your Name} {Your Address} {Your Phone #} {Your Loan #} {Date} To Whom It May Concern: I would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation due to religious belief. For example, if someone wants to wear long, loose-fitting religious attire near a bagel slicer, the employer might decline the request, but try to find another position for the worker away from the bagel slicer. 4. the type of workplace and the nature of the employee's duties, including whether the employee requesting a religious accommodation to a COVID-19 vaccination requirement works outdoors or indoors . Send religious accommodation letter sample via email, link, or fax. As this would cause minimal burden for only minor {rescheduling, uniform changes, etc. 01. Members can get help with HR questions via phone, chat or email. A request for a religious accommodation for housing must document: a description of the accommodation you are requesting; I have the interest of the company at heart. For religious exemptions toimmunization requirements, students should submit along with their requests: Please email your request, your letter to President Burwell, andaletter from a leader of your faith community (or a request for consultation with the University Chaplain)to president@american.edu. The EEOC, which enforces Title VII and recently updated its pandemic guidance on vaccine exemptions, defines religion in the workplace bias context as firmly and sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. If it would be easier, I would be happy to talk with you about this further in person or by phone. It was created to assist you while you are recovering. Under the Equal Employment regulations, I am entitled to accommodations provided that they do not cause undue hardship to the company. The Interactive Process is the way in which employees, supervisors, and their departments arrive at a reasonable accommodation. Rising sophomores (Class of 2025): Thursday, March 3, 2022, Incoming students (Class of 2026 and transfer sophomores): TBD. If the student does not belong to a religious community that could provide this letter,the student should indicate this in their letter and request a letter from the University Chaplain after due consultation with the University Chaplain. A business also might reject a religious accommodation request if the accommodation would decrease workplace efficiency, such as if everyone else has to cover the worktime of the employee who is missing work regularly, she said. Sincerely, CBP Applicant: An applicant requesting religious accommodation for any stage of the application process must submit a request for religious accommodation to the Indianapolis or Minneapolis Hiring Center, as applicable. I am a practicing member of {Religion}. This includes people who belong to traditional, organized religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism or Sikhism, as well as people who have newer or less common religious beliefs, and atheists. Religious Accommodation Request Resolution Employee (identified below) has requested an accommodation related to a religious belief, practice, and/or requirement. However, unless the disability or the need for accommodation is obvious, it is the . Gathering InformationOIE asks students and employees to complete the religious accommodation request form. Model Letter: Requesting Religious Accommodation in the Face of COVID-19 Vaccine Workplace Mandate Dear [Name of Human Resources Officer or other appropriate supervisor]: On [set forth date], I and other employees of [name of employer] were notified that all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof or face Thank you in advance for accommodating my request. }
I would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation due to religious belief. On [enter date or dates] we will be observing [name of holiday]. }
The Jedi religion is listed by the military as one of more than 200 religions it recognizes. Please log in as a SHRM member. Please give this request consideration at your earliest convenience. Kosher Meal Plans: The university offers severalKosher meal plan optionsthat can be used at the The Taam Tov section of theHopkins Cafe. 11/2/21 Updated religious exemption template Attached is a sample template that can be modified for your use as your prepare your employee religious exemption. Employee requests for religious accommodation at work are not always handled appropriately; take, for instance, Ashanti McShan's case. temp_style.textContent = '.ms-rtestate-field > p:first-child.is-empty.d-none, .ms-rtestate-field > .fltter .is-empty.d-none, .ZWSC-cleaned.is-empty.d-none {display:block !important;}';
The point of dedicating a page for accommodation requests is for your client to know your business more intimately like they know every inch of their personality. The most effective way to monitor religious accommodations is to encourage ongoing communication.Religious accommodations remain in effect through the date included on the approval letter unless the student or employee is notified by the University of a change. << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 5511 >> I anticipate this arrangement would be necessary for only 5 or 6 weeks, or until the sun starts to set after 5:00 p.m. Your session has expired. And here is where the vaccine issue becomes even more complicated. "Each of the manufactures of the Covid vaccines currently available developed and confirmed their vaccines using fetal cell lines, which originated from aborted fetuses. Religious accommodation requests require a written statement, via the CDCR Form 2273, Request for Religious Accommodation, indicating the individual's sincerely-held religious belief that precludes them from receiving any COVID-19 vaccine. document.head.append(temp_style); You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Any academic unit may issue additional or more specific information that is consistent with approved policy. This includes accommodations you need during the COVID-19 pandemic to help you stay healthy and be able to work. A lock ( OIE may need to discuss the nature of the religious belief(s, practice(s), and accommodation(s) with a student or employee's spiritual leader (if applicable) or religious or philosophy scholars to address the request for an exception. 6. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. I have been having medical issues that have affected my mood, sleep schedule, concentration, and focus. The interactive process starts when a student or employeesubmits a religious accommodation request. This sample letter can be used to ask your employer or prospective workplace for reasonable accommodations you need in the hiring process or for your job. 2. Religious Exemption Letter. Dear Sir, With utmost respect and honor, it is stated that I work at your renowned company under customer representative designation. LockA locked padlock This site contains User-Generated Content, meaning any and all information and content that a user submits to the Site. Sabbath Accommodation - Sundown Request - Employee Letter DATE EMPLOYER NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE RE: (YOUR NAME): Dear (NAME), As I believe you are aware, I am a Seventh-day Adventist. Document accommodations the employer tried to make and that the employee rejected. Train managers to recognize religious exemption requests and to refer them to HR. RA ensures equal opportunity in the job application, examination, and hiring processes that will enable a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in those processes, and perform the essential functions of the job. Sample Hardship Letter Financial Hardship Letters Writing A Hardship Letter Religious Accommodation Discrimination. {Your Phone #} 1-844-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone)
If there are any other ideas or options that you could provide it would be greatly appreciated. Once OIE has all supporting documentation, it will strive for a 5 business day turnaround. Dear Boss, First, I request a religious exemption. Your letter should be a formal one, addressed to the right person. Employees may also request workplace adjustments based on other COVID-19 circumstances not related to being in the increased risk category. }
Treat every employee's reasonable accommodation request as legitimate on its face. 2000(e) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation for employees religious observances. SHRM Employment Law & Compliance Conference, Montana's governor made vaccination status a protected category, How to Push Back on Religious Accommodation Requests, New OSHA Guidance Clarifies Return-to-Work Expectations, Trump Suspends New H-1B Visas Through 2020, Faking COVID-19 Illness Can Have Serious Consequences, White House Takes Action Against Migrant Child Labor, Antisemitism Fears, Incidents Are Rising in the US, Federal Lawmakers Propose Ban on Noncompete Agreements. OIE will then gather the necessary informationtoconsiderthe request. For instance, state that there is a company policy in place that requires you to do certain things that are not acceptable within your religion. An employee may Some examples include: 4. The Orthodox Union certifies the Kosher program and offers lunch and dinner Sundays through Thursdays and lunch on Fridays. As a starting point, JAN offers general guidance about writing an accommodation request letter, which lays out possible elements to include in the body of the letter. Secular activitiesshopping, sports, employment, and entertainmentare laid aside. Once an Airman or Guardian requests a vaccination exemption for religious reasons in writing to their commander, a chaplain is . x][s} d
=@_(3"I7ZqOnmY.=s@C`0NT6_w5_/O?a(Km~]Wy]]? Sabbath Accommodation Request - Employee Letter, Seventh-day Adventist Publications on Church - State Subjects. You have successfully saved this page as a bookmark. Explain that, under the doctrine of a certain belief in your religion, you cannot perform certain actions, such as shaving your beard or working on Sundays, for example. I am writing this letter to submit a request for accommodations in the workplace. Make sure that you make it very clear what it is that you cannot comply with and why. This form asks for information on the specific religious belief or conviction - whether religious, spiritual, or philosophical - that is the basis of the request, as well as the requestedaccommodation or modification to policy, practice, or schedule. A letter from a religious leader of the faith community to which the student is a member stating the need for an exemption. Here in Canada the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) offers this advice: The religious objections held by individuals to specific vaccines will vary significantly. At JAN, I often discuss options with employees about what might be useful to include and how to clearly explain what accommodation is needed. Each request is individually reviewed by . To help our brethren who may need support in writing a letter to establish a religious objection, we have created aReligious Accommodation Requesttemplate that can be used and modified to suit individual circumstances. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Moreover, I am informed that the Federal Courts have held a reasonable accommodation is one that eliminates the conflict between the job duties and a workers religion. Expand your toolbox with the tools and techniques needed to fix your organizations unique needs. The Department's reasonable accommodation policy is outlined within Personnel Bulletin 21-03 Processing Requests for Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities. Sitting or standing for long periods of time in the same position is causing increased pain and is decreasing my mobility. On [enter date or dates] we will be observing [name of holiday]. We have noticed that many brethren in Canada and elsewhere are facing the loss of employment for their unwillingness to comply with recent vaccine mandates in the workplace. Similarly, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires an employer to accommodate an employee's sincerely held religious beliefs or practices unless . nd OIE will do its best to respond in a timely manner. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Manager Responsibilities - Reasonable Accommodation Tips, 131 M Street, NE
I do not wish to have a conflict between my job duties and my obligations to God. how the accommodation will help resolve the conflict between your religious beliefs or practices and a university policy, procedure, or other academic requirement. Your name Make a temporary accommodation while a permanent one is being arranged. After initiating your religious objection request via the action center and returning the requested documentation, a representative from Employee and Labor Relations will respond to requests for religious exceptions from staff employees and Academic Personnel will respond to requests for religious exceptions from Faculty and other academic If an employee asks for time off on Saturdays to attend a religious service but also is known to attend a drag racing club then, the employer can push back and ask if the worker will attend the religious service or the drag race. If that effort fails or if the particular University office has questions, students may submit an online request for reasonable religious accommodations. JAN provides free, confidential technical assistance about job accommodations and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The EEOC published a sample form that employers can use for religious accommodation requests from workers, which have risen as Covid-19 vaccine mandates proliferate in the workplace. Sabbath observance is so important to Adventists that it is part of our churchs name, i.e., Seventh-day.. c. Types of Accommodation Requests. Employers can push backgentlyon religious accommodation requests and don't have to grant requests that would result in an undue hardship, which is much easier for employers to show for religious accommodation requests than disability accommodation requests. An applicant or employee may need a reasonable accommodation (a change to the way things are normally done at work) so he can practice or observe his religion. Students are required to check their course syllabi at the beginning of the semester, make any conflicts with religious/cultural observances known to their professors, and discuss arrangements for missed classes or assignments. Monitoring the Religious AccommodationBecause changes occur, student affairs representatives and employers may need to periodically check on the ongoing effectiveness of religious accommodations. Sabbath Accommodation Request - Employee Letter DATE EMPLOYER NAME ADDRESS CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE RE: (YOUR NAME) Dear (NAME): I am writing to request religious accommodation for my observance of Sabbath. Be aware of differences in state law. For example. The Justice Centre does not have a standard template to address such individual beliefs. Always end a letter by thanking your employer for their kind consideration. Share sensitive Professional Studies and Executive Education, American University's United Methodist Affiliation, submit an online request for reasonable religious accommodations. I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and I observe the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Individuals covered by the federal vaccination mandate currently impacting nine Penn State campuses who believe that their sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances prevent them from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, may complete an online accommodation request form on or before Nov. 5. SAMPLE REQUEST FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION [EMPLOYMENT] Dear [HR Department]: [Employer] has directed me to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, or suffer adverse employment action, up to and including termination. She had just been hired as a cashier at the fast-food restaurant. Sample Accommodation Request Letter: Allergies Date of Letter Your name Your address Employer's name Employer's address Dear [Insert employer's name here]: Given ongoing construction in our building and increased dust from it, my allergy symptoms have greatly increased. I request Reasonable Accommodation to have {Company Name} {waive the requirement, provide a substitute, allow shift swap, etc.}. Gain the intel you need now to successfully anticipate and navigate employment laws, stay compliant and mitigate legal risks. I am a Seventh-day Adventist, and I observe the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. var temp_style = document.createElement('style');
This is likely to be your HR representative, but do check on that first. I am (mention your name) on behalf of (mention company name) and would like to say that, the department provider's letter you submitted to us on [mention date] stated that you have the following work problem. Sign it in a few clicks Reasonable religious accommodation requests will be made on a casebycase basis taking into account factors including but not limited to: nature of the accommodation requested; duration of the request; timeliness of the request; alternative accommodations; financial impact; academic impact; and other related factors. Ashanti McShan, a 17-year old high-school student, was excited about her first day of work at Burger King. Neither members nor non-members may reproduce such samples in any other way (e.g., to republish in a book or use for a commercial purpose) without SHRMs permission. This letter is in reply to your request for accommodation approval. What should I do if an applicant or employee asks for breaks, leave or other changes to a work situation because of his medical condition or his religious beliefs? The other employees may wind up leaving due to the extra workload. A final thing to remember is that, as stated, while it is your right to have these accommodations made where possible, you must formally request them. I often suggest employees consider making a written request so they can decide what to say and how to say it without the stress of a face-to-face meeting with their employer.