religious accommodation request letter sample
<< /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 5511 >> WASHINGTON (AFNS) --. Dear Professor [last name], I am enrolled in your course [course number]. Whatever adjustments need to be made, you can count on me to do everything I can to cooperate fully. Religious Accommodation Request Resolution Employee (identified below) has requested an accommodation related to a religious belief, practice, and/or requirement. Send religious accommodation letter sample via email, link, or fax. 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. Sign it in a few clicks SPOKANE, Wash - State employees required to get the COVID-19 vaccine now have a way to request religious and medical exemptions. 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. 1-844-234-5122 (ASL Video Phone) 3 0 obj Please let me know if you need additional information or would like to discuss additional ideas. Secular activitiesshopping, sports, employment, and entertainmentare laid aside. I realize the need for this requested accommodation is still a few months away, but I wanted to make arrangements in advance so that we can discuss it and plan. Examples of possible . The Department of the Air Force is processing a number of Religious Accommodation Requests for the COVID-19 vaccine. For instance, you may ask for a shift swap, provide a substitute, or ask them to waive the requirement in full. Edit your religious accommodation approval letter online Type text, add images, blackout confidential details, add comments, highlights and more. Once an Airman or Guardian requests a vaccination exemption for religious reasons in writing to their commander, a chaplain is . If employers get an accommodation request from a believer in a religion that is so obscure there's no faith leader, Bunting recommended asking the employee to e-mail HR a paragraph describing why . At JAN, I often discuss options with employees about what might be useful to include and how to clearly explain what accommodation is needed. Any academic unit may issue additional or more specific information that is consistent with approved policy. For example, an applicant may ask to reschedule an interview that is on a religious holiday or an employee may request an exception to a "no hats" rule to wear a religious head covering, such as a yarmulke or hijab. This observance coincides with [name of assignment] that is listed on the syllabus. 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;}'; Particular considerations for different accommodation types include: A request for a religious accommodation for housing must be made before housing is requested. 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. Need help with a specific HR issue like coronavirus or FLSA? The letter should make it clear that you are requesting reasonable accommodation in view of your religious beliefs. As I believe you are aware, I am a Seventh-day Adventist. State that you are a practicing member of a certain religion. 1/9/2019 Employer Address City, State, Zip Code RE: Accommodation for Religious Belief and Practice Dear (HR Person's Name): I am writing this letter on behalf of your employee, xxxxxx, who is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It has been brought to the attention of The Vault Project that many employers are requesting a signed letter from a pastor on their religious exemption request forms for COVID vaccines. Work on Sunday or holidays in place of Saturday. Be aware of differences in state law. 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. Request for Religious Accommodation . 3. Some examples include: 4. Be courteous and professional and show that you are willing to meet your employer halfway. Gathering InformationOIE asks students and employees to complete the religious accommodation request form. However, writing such an initial request can feel intimidating and employees can get nervous about what to include in the letter and how to word it. employee-religious-exemption-november-2021 Download Vaccine Religious Exemption It's been wonderful working here, everyone is very supporting and company really acknowledges employees work. This letter is in reply to your request for accommodation approval. First-Year Residential Students Living on Campus: You can sign up for a kosher meal plan while registering for housing the summer before you arrive on campus.Second-Year Resident Students Living in McCoyor Charles Commons: You can sign up for a kosher meal plan while registering for housing the spring of your first year.Second-year Residential Students Living in Homewood Apartments, Bradford, or Rogerss House: You can sign up for a kosher meal plan while registering for housing the spring of your first year or by signing up for meal plans on theHousing Portal.Upperclassmen and Off-Campus Students: You can enroll for a Kosher meal plan on theHousing Portal by logging in with your JHED. Johns Hopkins UniversityWyman Park Building, Suite 5153400 North Charles StreetBaltimore, Maryland 21218, If you wish to submit proof of your COVID-19 vaccination or request a religious exception for the COVID-19 vaccine requirement, please do so via the Universitys. I do not wish to have a conflict between my job duties and my obligations to God. She had just been hired as a cashier at the fast-food restaurant. Once OIE has all supporting documentation, it will strive for a 5 business day turnaround. Employers can request additional information when religious accommodations are requested, Bunting noted. Once a religious objection to taking a vaccine is established, an employer has a duty to accommodate that religious belief up to the point of undue hardship. Site information is not to be replaced with or considered professional medical advice. The first step in requesting an accommodation in the workplace is to decide how to make the request. An employer that rejects such a request should be OK if it's sued in such circumstances, and it likely will be sued, she added. This catalog is the document of authority for all students and includes undergraduate, graduate, law, and medical students. 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. 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. There are many types of accommodations. As we approach the winter months, however, the sun sets earlier than at present. He has requested a schedule that would accommodate his religious observance of . These may prove helpful to consult. Your printed name. The interactive process starts when a student or employeesubmits a religious accommodation request. If there is more than one option, the student affairs representative or employer will balance a student oremployees expressed preference with operational or academic considerations.Religious accommodations can take many forms. Given the current labor shortage, the employer might not want to lose the employee or have the worker complain about the company on social media, she added. if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-china.aspx") > -1) { Date of Letter A commander may require immediate compliance of an approved accommodation only under exigent circumstances and in furtherance of a compelling government interest due to operational necessity,. According to company policy at {Company Name}, I am required to {participate in function/religious event, follow certain dress codes, work on certain days, work certain hours, etc.}. I would be a violation of my deeply held sincere religious conviction to work on Sabbath--the 24 hour period from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Please give this request consideration at your earliest convenience. Manager Responsibilities - Reasonable Accommodation Tips, 131 M Street, NE 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. whether the employee requesting a religious accommodation to a Covid-19 vaccination requirement works outdoors or indoors; whether the employee works in a solitary or group work setting, or has . Thank you in advance for accommodating my request. Hiring and Staffing Dept. 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. Employees may also request workplace adjustments based on other COVID-19 circumstances not related to being in the increased risk category. 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. Rising sophomores (Class of 2025): Thursday, March 3, 2022, Incoming students (Class of 2026 and transfer sophomores): TBD. $("span.current-site").html("SHRM China "); Employees requesting a religious accommodation shall immediately contact their local Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator. var currentUrl = window.location.href.toLowerCase(); The University Chaplain will also consult with others related to the student's request. There are also Kosher retail items available for purchase at theCharles Street Market (Char Mar). how the accommodation will help resolve the conflict between your religious beliefs or practices and a university policy, procedure, or other academic requirement. It is difficult to say with certainty how long it can take to process requests, as many factors could impact timing (i.e., volume, complexity and availability of the student for follow up questions and/or their ability to timely provide supporting documentation). The Office of the University Chaplain has communicated to the faculty via the Provosts office a list of major religious holy days. SAMPLE REQUEST FOR RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION [STUDENT] Dear [School Administration]: [School] has issued a directive requiring me, a student enrolled in [school] [or, if the student is a minor, my child [name of student], a student enrolled in [school],] to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine. Although Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) do not require clergy letters to be submitted in order to obtain a religious accommodation to receiving . To request permission for specific items, click on the reuse permissions button on the page where you find the item. As such, I am unable to {work on Sunday mornings, shave my beard, etc.}. {Your Address} 01. nd OIE will do its best to respond in a timely manner. You can also download it, export it or print it out. information only on official, secure websites. It is the policy of the University of Washington to reasonably accommodate students' religious observances in accordance with RCW 28B.137.010.. Second, the religious belief must be "sincerely held" to be entitled to accommodation. Religious Exemption letter. Members can get help with HR questions via phone, chat or email. 4. Please contact dining@jhu.edu or consult the Hopkins dining webpage if you have additional questions. I am writing this letter to submit a request for accommodations in the workplace. $("span.current-site").html("SHRM MENA "); Each request is individually reviewed by . In addition, having a list of what I might need to do for the workday/week could also help me keep track of my work. Ask your manager to meet with you. Sincerely, For Deaf/Hard of Hearing callers: Leading up to the holiday, Hopkins Dining will refine their planning and will distribute full details to students prior to the beginning of Ramadan. We have reviewed the attached case file and recommend action on SSgt Alpha's request for religious accommodation from compliance with Air Force grooming standards be deferred pending his imminent transfer of duty stations. Sabbath Accommodation - Sundown Request - Employee Letter, Seventh-day Adventist Publications on Church - State Subjects. I will be very grateful if you could assist me in achieving a suitable schedule to avoid such a conflict. I have been having medical issues that have affected my mood, sleep schedule, concentration, and focus. In some cases, OIE may need to obtain additional information and/or documentation about the student or employee's religious or spiritual practice(s) or belief(s). Examples of Accommodations We strive to be creative and flexible in arriving at a reasonable accommodation. 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 . Make sure that you make it very clear what it is that you cannot comply with and why. OIE will then gather the necessary informationtoconsiderthe request. Homewood Housing Requests:The university recognizes that student observance of their faith may require special consideration for housing assignments. Religious accommodations can take many forms. Click the link TO DOWNLOAD A RAMADAN RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST TEMPLATE. Sabbath observance is so important to Adventists that it is part of our churchs name, i.e., Seventh-day.. Employee requests for religious accommodation at work are not always handled appropriately; take, for instance, Ashanti McShan's case. 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. 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. I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding this request. The law requires that employees and employers engage in the Interactive Process. 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. On [enter date or dates] we will be observing [name of holiday]. For Academic accommodations requests, students should seek to make arrangements with the appropriate professors first at the earliest opportunity. Subject: Assertion of Religious Exemption to Vaccination and Request for Accommodation. So you can pray. (Note: This is a sample letter giving you a few theological reasons to help you with Biblical reasons to back up your claim for an exemption. And, it is also for encouraging and enticing your clients to visit your place of business as well. Religious Accommodation Request Template. For example. Make accommodation policies clear, and apply them equally even if the employer has never heard of the religion. For example, if an employer has to hire a temporary worker to cover Saturdays for an employee who misses shifts then for religious reasons, there might be an undue hardship in accommodating the employee, she said. Contact the University Chaplains Office only if there is a conflict in making the accommodations for a religious/cultural observance. Ashanti McShan, a 17-year old high-school student, was excited about her first day of work at Burger King. Other objective reasons that a request isn't for religious reasons might include if the worker says he or she only puts organic substances into his or her body, defining organic substances as those that come from dirt. PO Box 81489 Middlesex, NJ 08 Fax Number: Your accommodation request will be reviewed by your . An employer that requires vaccinations against COVID-19 must grant sincere religious accommodation requests, so long as they. Your manager may not be familiar with your church, and the law doesn't require employers to have an encyclopedic knowledge of every religion. Implementing the Religious Accommodation The religious accommodation request, if filed with an employment agency, may be submitted to the agency to whom the employee currently has a personnel management relationship. One option that I would propose is [enter request]. I identify as an observing [religious affiliation], and I am writing to request that you make accommodation for my religious observance this semester in accordance with the college's attendance policy. 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