If you ask for a religious accommodation at work in Pennsylvania, you may wonder whether your employer can deny it. The answer depends on the situation. Employers generally must make reasonable efforts to support employees’ religious beliefs and practices. However, they may deny a request in some cases.
What legal protections do you have?
Federal and Pennsylvania laws protect employees from religious discrimination at work. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act applies to employers with 15 or more employees. It requires them to provide reasonable accommodations for religious beliefs unless doing so would create an undue hardship. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act provides similar protections and applies to employers with four or more employees.
When you ask for a workplace change based on your religion, your employer should discuss your needs and consider possible solutions. However, the company does not have to approve your preferred option.
When can an employer deny an accommodation?
A company may deny a request if the accommodation would create an undue hardship. Under federal law, this generally means the change would cause substantial costs compared with how the business operates.
For example, an employer may have concerns if an accommodation affects workplace safety, creates major disruptions or results in significant expenses. Recent Supreme Court decisions explain that a company usually must show more than a small inconvenience to deny a request.
What accommodations can you ask for?
Religious accommodations can take different forms. You may request schedule changes to observe religious holidays or attend services. Some employees need exceptions to dress rules so they can wear religious clothing or follow grooming practices. Others may need time and space for prayer during the workday.
Your employer should consider other options if your first request creates challenges. For example, if you cannot work certain days because of your faith, the company may offer flexible scheduling or allow shift swaps with coworkers.
What should you do if your request is denied?
Ask your employer to explain why it denied your request and why it believes the accommodation would create a hardship. Keep records of conversations, emails and written decisions about your request.
Review your employee handbook to understand your company’s policies. If you believe the denial violated your rights, you can learn about filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Speaking with an employment attorney may also help you understand your options.
What is the deadline to file a complaint?
In Pennsylvania, you generally have up to 300 days to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission because state law also protects against religious discrimination. If you file directly with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, you generally have 180 days from the alleged discriminatory action.
Understanding your rights at the workplace
A denied accommodation request does not always mean your employer acted unlawfully. The reason for the denial and the impact of the requested change can affect whether the decision was appropriate. Keep detailed records, review your workplace policies and consider seeking guidance if you have concerns about how your employer handled your request. Understanding your rights can help you make informed decisions about your next steps and potentially make your workplace a safer, more equal place.
