It is not appropriate that employees be authorized paid administrative leave to observe religious holidays. Nevertheless, supervisors must make reasonable accommodation to the religious needs of employees where such accommodations can be made without undue hardship. Such accommodations may include voluntary adjustments of work schedules, approved leave without pay, or approved use of accrued leave time such as vacation, compensatory time or personal leave days (not sick leave). In order to avoid undue hardship to the agency, employees should request time off sufficiently in advance to allow the agency adequate notice to adjust work schedules.

PJS110304