Fedweek

Legislation offered in the House (HR-4237) by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, R-N.Y., and others would require employers, including the federal government, to accommodate an employee’s religious practice or observance needs unless it would impose an “undue hardship” on the employer. A “hardship” would mean that an accommodation would result in the inability of the employee to perform the essential functions of the position and that the employer would bear identifiable costs such as loss of productivity and transfer, retraining or other costs. The policy would apply to employment practices generally, including use of leave and adjustments to work schedules or assignments. The provisions would expand protections against religious discrimination under the Civil Rights Act.