Accommodation of Religious Requirements, Practices and Observances by Faith

The events and dates shown in this list reflect the information received from representatives of each faith regarding Holy Days that, in their view, would require (or recommend) an observant's absence from (or suspension of) work for religious observance purposes (can also be in the form of special worship). This list is derived from a North American perspective on religious holy days.

Generally speaking, Organizations / Institutions and their staff / students have a mutual responsibility for accommodating religious observance in learning environments and in the workplace.

The Multifaith Action Society does not make any representation as to the absolute validity, accuracy, or completeness of the information provided. Concerns expressed about events and dates are referred to source faith representatives for clarification, and where applicable, amendments will occur.

Please note that the Multifaith Action Society only identifies those religious Holy Days requiring (or at least recommended for) suspension of work or school for observance purposes from faiths that are included in the Multifaith Calendar. Further, any requests for suspension of work or school based on this list would need to be discussed by the employee and employer, student and educational institution, etc. to mutual satisfaction. It is also important to note that there are many holy days associated with various faiths and that the absence of such dates on this list should not be interpreted to mean that there should be no accommodation for students who observe those holy days.

It would also be important for these dates to be kept in mind when scheduling meetings and events.

How to read this list...

  Observances are listed in chronological order (generally) under each Faith.

  While the names of the noted bservances will remain the same, the dates may
   change due to adherence to solar, lunar or other calendars.

  Appropriate events/observances requiring (or suggested for) religious
   accommodation will also be flagged in the monthly grid's event's pop-up boxes.

  Use the search function on the monthly grids and enter the word accommodation
   to get a complete list of that particular month's dates flagged for accommodation.

  First Nations / Indigenous Spirituality

• National Indigenous Day (Canada)

Note:  Various First Nartions bands may have unique spiritual observances which are not considered formal religious holy days, but may require accommodation, such as special worship (no work restrictions).

  Bahai Faith

The Nine Holy Days on which work should be suspended:

• Naw Rúz
• First Day of Riḍván
• Ninth Day of Riḍván
• Twelfth Day of Riḍván
• Declaration of The Báb
• Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh
• Martyrdom of The Báb
• Birth of The Báb*
• Birth of Bahá'u'lláh*

* Individuals observing the Birth of Bahaullah and the Birth of The Báb generally follow the tenet that all kinds of occupations should be suspended.

  Buddhism

From a specific Buddhist point of view, no single observance can be said to be so inflexible that religious accommodation must be exercised. Buddhists understand these to be symbolic days, which is why the days are often celebrated on a Sunday closest to the Full Moon Day / 15th day following the Full Moon, etc.

Events often begin with a visit to a local temple where participants engage in activities such as distributing food to the poor or offering items to monks at the temples. Evenings usually consist of meditation and chanting Buddha's teachings.

• Lunar New Year (Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean) - M (Ch, V, K)
• Losar - Tibetan New Year
• Theravāda New Year - T
• Mahāyāna New Year - M
• Nehan-e (Nirvana Day) - M (J, NA)A
• Wesak - T (NA)
• Kathina - T (NA)  (first and last days only)

Legend: Festivals important to different schools or backgrounds are indicated as follows:   M - Mahāyāna school,  T - Theravāda school.

C - Canadian,  NA - North American.  B - Burmese,  Ch - Chinese,  J - Japanese,  K - Korean,  Ka - Kampuchean,  L - Laotian,  S - Sinhalese,  Th - Thai,  Ti - Tibetan, V - Vietnamese.

Note: In the Western world, Buddhists generally celebrate festivals on the Sunday nearest the actual date.The listed observances generally require accommodation for special worship (no work restrictions).

  Christianity

• Epiphany - W
• Theophany - E New
• Armenian Christmas
• Christmas - E Old
• Feast of Theophany - E Old
• Holy (Maundy) Thursday - E, W
• Good Friday - W
• Easter - W
• Holy Friday - E
• Pascha - E
• Christmas - W, E New

Legend:  E (Eastern Calendar);  W (Western Calendar);  Old (Old Calendar);  New (New Calendar)

Note:  Other than the above, which are often statutory holidays, there are no work-restricted holy days within the Christian faith by tenet.

  Hinduism

• Makar Sankranti
• Vasanta Panchami
• Holi (last day)
• Sri Krishna Jayanti (Also called Janmashtami)
• Diwali

Note: The listed observances generally require accommodation for special worship and food restrictions (no work restrictions)..


  Islam

• Ramaḍān*
• 'Īd al-Fiṭr
• ʻĪd al-Aḍḥá

Note:  The listed observances generally require accommodation for both suspension/restriction of work, special worship and food restrictions..

Friday prayers are perhaps less clear and probably should be negotiated with those involved.  Friday itself is not a holiday, and if the employee/student is a practicing Muslim wants to attend the mosque prayer time, the employer /institution could negotiate the required time to go to a mosque, pray, and return, if practical.

In the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day.  Dates are also subject to local sighting of the new moon.

* Ramaḍān:  Although an observant would not be expected to refrain from work, it is a month of fasting throughout daylight hours ending with 'Īd al-Fiṭr.

  Jainism

In the Western world, obervances/festivals are generally celebrated on the Sunday nearest the actual date.

• Mahavira Jayanti
• Paryushana-parva
• Samvatsari (Day of Forgiveness)
• Dashalakshani-parva
• Ksamavani
• Mahavira Nirvana
• Diwali
  
  Note: In the Western world, Buddhists generally celebrate festivals on the Sunday nearest the actual date..The listed observances generally require accommodation for special worship and/or food restrictions (no work restrictions).
   
  

  Judaism

• Pesaḥ 
  (Accommodation for Jewish Reform:  eve + first day + seventh day: non-working)
  (Accommodation for Jewish Orthodox: eve + first two days + seventh and eighth day: non-working)
  
  
• Shavuot
  (Accommodation for Jewish Reform: eve of Shauvot + first day: non-working)
  (Accommodation for Jewish Orthodox: eve of Shauvot + first two days: non-working)
  
  
• Tisha BAv
  (Accommodation for Jewish Reform: considered a working day)
  (Accommodation for Jewish Orthodox: non-working, beginning eve of Tish'a B'av)
  
  
• Rosh Hashanah (New Years Day)
  (Accommodation for both Reform and Orthodox: beginning on the eve of Rosh Hashanah + first and second day: non-working)
  
  
• Yom Kippur
  (Accommodation for both Reform and Orthodox: beginning on the eve of Yom Kippur + observed day: non-working)
  
  
• Sukkot
  (Accommodation for Jewish Reform: eve of Sukkot + first day: non-working)
  (Accommodation for Jewish Orthodox: eve of Sukkot + first two days:  non-working)
  
  
• Shmini Atzeret
  (Accommodation for both Reform and Orthodox: beginning on the eve of Shmini Atzeret + observed day: non-working)
  
  
• Simḥat
  (Accommodation for both Reform and Orthodox: beginning eve of Simḥat Torah + observed day: non-working)

Note: Work restrictions noted in detail above.


  Scientology

No specific Religious Accommodation required. Observances are generally celebrated on the Saturday nearest the actual date.

    Shinto

No specific Religious Accommodation required. In the Western world, festivals are generally celebrated on the Sunday nearest the actual date.

  Sikhism

• Sikh New Years Day
• Vaisakhi (Anniversary of birth of the Khalsa)
• Bandi Chhor Divas
• Installation of Holy Scriptures as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
• Birth date of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
• Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Note: The listed observances generally require accommodation for special worship (no work restrictions).



  Wicca

• Litha
• Lammas
• Samhain
• Yule

Note: The listed observances generally require accommodation for special worship (no work restrictions).

Evening observances commence at sundown. Solstice observances commence at sunrise.


  Zarathushti Religion  (Zoroastrianism)

• Nowruz (New Years Day in Fasli calendar)
• Nowruz (New Years Day in Shenshai calendar)
• Death Anniversary of the Prophet Zarathustra

Note: The listed observances generally require accommodation for special worship (no work restrictions however).