Human Resources

Religious & Spiritual Accommodations

Explore This Section

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace that supports employees' sincerely held religious or spiritual beliefs, practices, and observances. In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, the College provides reasonable accommodations for religious practices unless doing so would create an undue hardship on College operations.

Religious or spiritual accommodations may include adjustments to work schedules, flexibility for religious observances, voluntary shift substitutions, modifications to workplace policies, or other reasonable accommodations that enable employees to practice their faith.

Requesting a Religious or Spiritual Accommodation

Employees seeking a religious or spiritual accommodation should contact the Director of Employee Relations and Support as early as possible to discuss their request and explore available accommodation options.

To initiate the process, employees should complete the Religious or Spiritual Accommodation Request Form and submit it to the Director of Employee Relations and Support. The College may request additional information as needed to evaluate the request and determine an appropriate accommodation.

Religious or Spiritual Accommodation Request Form

Interactive Process

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ engages in an individualized, interactive process to review religious or spiritual accommodation requests. The College will work collaboratively with employees and supervisors to identify reasonable accommodations that support religious observance while maintaining essential job functions and operational needs.

Examples of Religious or Spiritual Accommodations

  • Flexible scheduling to observe religious holidays or practices
  • Modified break schedules for prayer or religious observance
  • Voluntary shift swaps or substitutions
  • Time off for religious observances – Approve reasonable time off requests for religious observances and ensure available PTO is used when appropriate.
  • Exceptions to dress or grooming requirements based on religious beliefs, when appropriate
  • Other accommodations tailored to an employee's sincerely held religious beliefs or practices

Frequently Asked Questions

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ is committed to supporting religious diversity and pluralism and to complying with applicable laws that protect employees from discrimination based on religion. Providing reasonable accommodations helps ensure employees can observe their religious beliefs without unnecessary barriers in the workplace.

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment that allows an employee to practice their sincerely held religious beliefs while performing the essential functions of their position.

An undue hardship occurs when a proposed accommodation would result in substantial increased costs, significant operational disruption, safety concerns, or other substantial burdens on the College's operations.

The Director of Employee Relations and Support, in consultation with the employee, supervisor, and other appropriate College representatives, will review the request and determine whether a reasonable accommodation can be provided.

Employees are encouraged to explain the nature of the religious or spiritual observance or practice. The College evaluates requests based on sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, regardless of whether a supervisor is familiar with the specific faith tradition.  Supervisors who have questions or would like additional information about a religious or spiritual observance or practice may consult with Human Resources and/or the Campus Chaplain as a resource for understanding religious traditions and practices.

Religious or spiritual accommodation requests are reviewed individually and may involve options beyond traditional leave, such as schedule adjustments, flexible work arrangements, or shift exchanges. When time away from work is needed for a religious observance, employees should use available vacation, PTO, or other appropriate leave balances in accordance with College policies.

Supervisors should contact the Director of Employee Relations and Support for guidance.

show all / hide all

Contact Information

For questions regarding religious or spiritual accommodations or to request an accommodation, please contact:

 

Director of Employee Relations and Support

doconnor@coloradocollege.edu

College Chaplain

kholbrook@coloradocollege.edu

Report an issue - Last updated: