Know Your Rights! School and Workplace Accommodations for the Jewish High Holidays

  • August 31, 2015

Know Your Rights and Obligations

Every fall, students and employees who observe the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (“High Holidays”) must resolve scheduling conflicts resulting from their concurrent religious obligations and school or work responsibilities.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) firmly believes that to create welcoming and respectful school and workplace environments, diligent efforts should be made to accommodate observance of the High Holidays and other religious practices with school or work responsibilities in a meaningful way.

Accommodating students and employees who seek to take time off for the High Holidays is not merely a principled and worthy practice. Rather, in many instances it may be legally required.  However, to obtain a religious accommodation for the High Holidays from schools or employers, students and employees often have to fulfill certain obligations.

The links below answer common questions regarding religious accommodation for observance of the High Holidays by K-12 public and private schools, public and private post-secondary schools, and public and private employers.

Read More

Elementary and Secondary Schools (PDF)

Colleges and Universities (PDF)

Public and Private Employers (PDF)

Related

Download “School & Workplace Accommodations for the Jewish High Holidays: Know Your Rights and Obligations” (PDF)

Read “Religious Accommodation in the Workplace: Your Rights and Obligations” (PDF)

Read “5 Things to Know About the High Holidays”

For more information or assistance in seeking a religious accommodation for observance of the High Holidays, please contact us at 303-830-7177.