ABA Family Legal Guide

Law and the Workplace

On the Job

Other Protections for Workers

Can an employer fire an employee for refusing to work on Saturdays if his or her religion requires attendance at services on Saturdays?

Title VII requires employers to accommodate the religious beliefs of their employees unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship for the business. If other employees are willing to work the shift on Saturdays, and the employer would not have to pay them more, the employer may be required to accommodate the employee. However, if the accommodation would cost the employer additional money, or would cause a disruption in the business or violate the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, accommodation would probably be considered unreasonable. There are many types of relatively cost-free accommodations that an employer may make, such as