Religious observance FAQ

What do we do about requests for leave for religious observance in term time?

Staff should give as much notice as possible when requesting leave.

Employers should be aware that some religious or belief festivals are aligned with lunar phases and therefore dates change from year to year; the dates for some festivals do not become clear until quite close to the actual day.

Discussion and flexibility between staff and managers will usually result in a mutually acceptable compromise.

Organisations should take care not to disadvantage those workers who do not hold any specific religion or belief.

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Do schools have to provide a prayer room?

Regulations do not say that organisations have to provide a prayer room.

If employees request access to a quiet place in which to meet their religious obligations and such a place is available without it having any adverse impact on the business or other staff, then employers may be acting in a discriminatory way if they refuse such a request.

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How do organisations cater for requests to release staff for prayer outside normal rest/break periods or religious festivals?

Schools should consider applications for leave bearing in mind the following:

time off for religious observance can and should be planned in advance
consideration can be given to allow for time off for prayer to be made up through, for example, shorter lunch breaks, or earlier or later working times, bearing in mind the requirements for breaks in the Working Time Regulations/ the exigencies of the service.

In the case of teachers no more than 5 days of paid leave may be granted under this category in a calendar year in accordance with their terms and conditions.

The above is taken from: Haringey LMS Schools Personnel Handbook: Time Off For Religious Festivals Guidance 13.12

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