10.2.24
By Jennifer Jacobus, PHRca, SDEA CEO 
As Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – began yesterday, it’s a timely reminder for business owners and HR professionals to consider how religious accommodations play a role in fostering an inclusive workplace. This significant holiday often involves time for reflection, family gatherings, and attending religious services, which may require employees to take time off. Since this is an informal start to the season for religious holidays, now is a good time for employers to remember their legal obligations to provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices, while also creating an environment where all employees feel respected and valued.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are required to reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs or practices unless doing so would cause undue hardship to the business. With holidays like Rosh Hashanah, this could mean offering flexibility in scheduling, permitting unpaid leave, or allowing employees to swap shifts. Open communication is key: encourage employees to feel comfortable discussing their religious needs and ensure that managers are trained to handle these requests appropriately and respectfully.
Incorporating religious accommodations into your HR policies is not just about legal compliance – it’s about creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture. When employees feel that their personal beliefs and traditions are respected, it fosters loyalty, improves morale, and enhances overall productivity. As you review your workplace policies, consider how you can better support employees observing religious holidays, not just during Rosh Hashanah, but throughout the year.
Ensuring that your workplace is accommodating to diverse religious practices is a vital component of a thriving, inclusive company. Take this opportunity to assess your current policies, communicate openly with your team, and create a welcoming environment that recognizes the importance of religious and cultural diversity.
Helping our members work through the accommodation process is a very common request from our members. To help further, please join us for a Roundtable on November 19, and remember, you can always call us if you need help working through an accommodation; 858-505-0024.