Unclassified employees represent many different religions, and the University seeks to be sensitive to individual needs by balancing work requirements and the private free exercise of religious beliefs. 

If an employee would like time off for a religious observance, he/she should ask the supervisor or department chairperson.  Approval must be granted unless the absence will create a hardship for the unit.  The employee must use vacation, floating holiday, or personal holiday hours, or make other arrangements with his/her supervisor. 

An employee’s claim of a religious conflict should be accepted at face value.  A great variety of valid claims exist for religious groups, and there is no practical, dignified, and legal means to access the validity of individual claims.