Religious discrimination in the workplace is an issue that affects many employees across various industries. While federal and state laws protect workers from religious bias, employers face challenges when balancing the rights of employees to practice their religion with the need to maintain business efficiency. A key aspect of this balance is determining when reasonable accommodation can be made and when it might impose an undue hardship on the employer. Understanding Religious Accommodation Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers must accommodate an employee's religious beliefs or practices unless doing so would cause significant difficulty or expense. This means employers may need to allow flexible work hours for religious observances, allow employees to wear religious clothing or symbols, or provide time off for religious holidays. The goal is to enable employees to maintain their religious practices without facing discrimination or retaliation. What Constitutes Undue Hardship? While employers must make reasonable accommodations, there are limits. An accommodation may be denied if it causes an undue hardship to the employer. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), undue hardship refers to an accommodation that results in significant difficulty or expense in relation to the size of the business, the resources available, and the nature of the operation. For example, if accommodating an employee's religious practice requires restructuring the work schedule to disrupt the workflow or impose significant additional costs, the employer might not be required to provide that accommodation. Balancing Religious Accommodation and Business Needs Employers must engage in an interactive process with employees to determine whether a reasonable accommodation is possible. It’s important to consider all options and to explore creative solutions that can satisfy both the employee’s religious needs and the business’s operational needs. Clear communication and a commitment to fairness are key to finding solutions that work for everyone involved. Religious discrimination in the workplace is a complex issue, but employers can avoid legal pitfalls by understanding the requirements for religious accommodation and the limits placed by undue hardship. Employers should carefully assess each situation, considering the needs of their business and the rights of their employees. In doing so, they can foster an inclusive, respectful environment that supports both business success and religious diversity.