Answer by the HR experts of Mineral HR
Employers with 15 or more employees are required by federal law to provide reasonable accommodations for an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, and observances, unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the employer.
The need for a religious accommodation generally arises when an employee’s religious beliefs or practices conflict with specific policies or requirements of the position. For instance, an employee might need to wear a head covering or hairstyle that is outside of your dress code or to not be scheduled on religious holidays.
Nicholle Peterson, Benefits Plan Manager comments,
Here are the steps for employers to follow if you have 15 or more employees:
- Assess each request individually and engage in an interactive process with the employee.
- Document the request and any actions taken.
- If you believe accommodation is not possible, ensure you have clear, objective reasons based on business needs.
To learn more about our online tool, Mineral HR, contact Nicholle at (320) 214-2921.
This Q&A does not constitute legal advice and does not address state or local law.
