How To Request a Religious Accommodation

What to do if you need to take time away from work or request other accommodations due to religious belief.

What To Know

• Religious accommodation is the process in which employees and supervisors make a good faith effort to provide a reasonable accommodation of an individual’s sincerely held religious belief.
• Religious accommodations may include, but are not limited to, providing an employee leave for religious observances, providing a time and/or place to pray, and/or providing flexibility to wear religious attire.
• More information:
  • Religious Accommodations for Employees
  • University Policy 6.13.8. 

What To Do

1. Contact your manager or department chair

   If possible, provide at least 30 days notice in advance of an event to discuss your request.

2. Documentation

   Submit a request for religious accommodation form to your manager or department chair.

   • Request for Religious Accommodation form (pdf)

What Happens Next

• You may be asked to provide documentation related to the tenets of the religious practice or belief that supports the request.
• Your manager or department chair will consult with HR and inform you of a decision.
• If you have questions about the process or would like other guidance, contact
  • your HR Representative
  • Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX: 607-255-2242 or equity@cornell.edu

Resources

• Religious Accommodation Request Form (pdf)
• Calendar of Holy Days & Festivals