Religious Leave

Employers must make provisions for religious observance by workers under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But, employers are not specifically required to provide paid leave or to make an accommodation that would cause the company “undue hardship.”

Title VII requires employers to “reasonably accommodate” the religious beliefs of employees. Each employer must determine what constitutes fair treatment of religious employees within its work force with regard to days off. How much time off is permitted and whether the absences are to be paid depend on the company’s general leave policy.