Religious Discrimination

PURPOSE: The Missouri Commission on Human Rights is proposing to enact this rule to provide an interpretation of the prohibitions in Chapter 213, RSMo against religious discriminations and to the requirement of an employer to reasonably accommodate religious beliefs of employees. (1) The employer has an obligation to make reasonable accommodations to the religious needs of employees and prospective employees where these accommodations can be made without undue hardships on the conduct of the employer’s business. Undue hardship, for example, may exist where the employee’s needed work cannot be performed by another employee of substantially similar qualifications during the period of absence of the Sabbath observer. The commission will review each case on an individual basis in an effort to seek an equitable application of these rules to the variety of situations which arise due to the varied religious practices of the people of this state. AUTHORITY: section 213.030(6), RSMo 1986.* This rule was previously filed as 4 CSR 180-3.050. Original rule filed July 1, 1980, effective Nov. 13, 1980. *Original authority: 213.030, RSMo 1959, amended 1978, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998.