In the United States, employers have the responsibility to create a safe and unbiased work environment for people of different races and beliefs. Religious beliefs are one freedom protected in the workplace by Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964. In short, this civil right was put in place so employees never need to make the decision between their job and practicing their religion.
Since the announcement of the White House and President Joe Biden’s mandate on worker vaccinations, employers and employees alike have been researching how to handle religious exemptions. Under the mandate for all businesses with 100 employees or more, exemptions must be made for employees that hold sincere religious beliefs that prevent the employee from getting a COVID-19 vaccine. But how do employers and employees handle this delicate situation?
Whether you’re an employee or employer, it’s important to understand what the key steps that make up the religious exemption process. You’ll also need to know the type of information that should NOT be mentioned in a religious exemption and could result the denial of a request. Here’s a simple primer on exemption process and specific examples of religious exemption requests.
Whether you’re an employee or an employer, here’s the most important thing to remember about religious exemptions. These exemption requests must be about the employees religious beliefs, not any other topic.
One reason religious exemptions are rejected is they cite data that’s not religious in nature. This could include scientific data, politics, or health reasons. None of these reasons have anything to do with an employees deeply-held religious belief system so they don’t apply. If an employee mentions anything outside the scope of religion in the request, they are at risk of the request being denied. This is a religious exemption, not a political exemption.
One other important note is that you don’t need to be part of a major religion to qualify for a religious exemption. In fact, even atheists are protected by this right.
Symbol of Faith among Christians.
Ask your employer where to send an exemption request. In most cases, employees send the information to someone in the Human Resources department. If you work for a larger company there is likely a program you’ll need to upload the information to.
One important note, these exemption requests don’t need to be long. In the United States, employees have the right to practice their religion alone or in a community with others. You don’t need to defend a belief system with long explanation. If this is a genuinely held belief, you don’t need justify yourself or make logical sense to anyone.
Here are exemption request examples for individuals of Christian faith. Note that these are examples and should not be copied word for word. Reflect on your own sincerely-held religious beliefs to customize these messages and make them relevant to you.
By the way… This is not legal advice or personal advice. These are examples for informational purposes only. Submitting an exemption request with this information does not guarantee it will be approved by an employer. Any exemption request should reflect your legitimately held belief system.
I personally believe that God is the creator of all things, and it’s important to me not only in my day-to-day life but also how I make decisions. Being a Christian sometimes means saying no or doing something different from what someone else wants you too because their desires may not line up with yours 100%. This includes refusing vaccinations for religious reasons as well since one of those beliefs include purity (so I don’t contaminate myself).
I pray that this exemption request is accepted and ask God to give us all clarity in this situation.
(Insert name, contact information)
I’ve always been taught that God is the author of my life, so it’s only logical for me to live by His rules. My religious beliefs as a Christian don’t allow me receive vaccines for Covid-19 because they conflict with scripture about purity and health matters. The law requires accommodation services offered if you want exemption based on your faith families who would rather not break any laws while still practicing their own religions practices rights guaranteed by Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964.
With gratitude and faith,
(Insert name, contact information)
I am a Christian and my beliefs as such prevent me from receiving any vaccines, even though the law requires that those with religious exemptions be offered accommodation. I cannot receive this vaccine under because it goes against what I believe in which would make practicing good health an impossible task for someone like myself – who wants nothing but pureness of body! The authorities should make accommodations possible so people can maintain their faith without infringing upon others’ choices too much; after all we’re human too.
Here is a scripture that resonates deeply with me:
1 Cor 6:19 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”
I have prayed about this subject a lot. I know this is the right choice based on my deeply held religious beliefs.
Yours truly in Christ,
(Name, contact information)
My religious beliefs as a Christian do not allow me to receive vaccines. God created me with an immune system and I cannot alter His design so vaccine is out of the question for me.
My religion guides my every day life choices. I am not a perfect person and I have made mistakes, but I want to be a light to God. The Covid-19 vaccine does not align with my interpretation of his teachings.
In honor of our Lord,
(Name, Contact information)
My sincerely-held religious beliefs are universal, based on my belief and faith in Jesus Christ. I cannot violate what’s been given to me by God – the conscience His grace gave me when he saved it from sin through his son Jesus Christ, who suffered death as payment for all our sins; we receive this gift at birth but must accept nothing outside its scope or else be eternally lost forever: thus I will never submit under any circumstances whatsoever either mentally nor physically if forced into taking a vaccine against conscience no matter what.
Titus 2:1 – 15: But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
I pray for all of us to have guidance through this time period in the name of Jesus Christ.
(Name, contact information)
This is to notify you I am invoking my Constitutionally-protected right to religious expression, including being exempted from activities which are in conflict with my sincerely held beliefs. Specifically vaccinating myself because it conflicts with how I see God’s plan for me and does not agree with him one bit. I have prayed about this a lot a know it’s the right choice for me.
This workplace has forced us into an ungodly situation where we must take part in something officially considered “unbelievable” but most importantly isn’t true at all according 2 Timothy 3:1 – 6 about Jesus Christ our Lord & Savior who redeemed us by his blood out of every kindred/tribe group. Jesus is perfect and does not require any improvement.
(Name, contact information)
My sincerely-held religious beliefs come from a belief and faith in Jesus Christ – they cannot be compromised by anyone or at any point. My deeply-held beliefs do not allow me to inject any form of medication into my body. I must keep my body pure at all costs.
(Name, contact information)
My sincerely held religious beliefs do not allow me to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
My sincerely held belief, I cannot use any product that takes its origin in abortion. “For you created my innermost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13. The innermost being is extremely sacred. I will not knowingly participate in the process to use such a product that violates the right to life and dishonors the lives of the unborn. God’s word tells me to keep my body pure. I cannot receive a Covid vaccine under any circumstances.
I trust in the LORD. Ephesians 6:10-18 directs us to “put on the armor of God,” so that we can be equipped with truth, righteousness, peace, and faith. We are taught not to be afraid and that we have divine protection. In GOD and Jesus Christ, I Trust. I can certainly testify to this because as you are aware, throughout the whole pandemic, I have been working according to your policies and measures required of the employees. I hope to continue to do so moving forward without discrimination.
(Name, Contact Information)
You don’t need to be of the Christian faith to file a religious exemption. You could be Muslim, Jewish, or any other religion. Here are two examples from the Buddhist perspective.
Hello – As a Buddhist and follower of Gautama Buddha, my sincerely held beliefs are an all-encompassing part of who I am. My religious beliefs have been protected by both the US Constitution as well as this state’s constitution which guarantees them to be free from any discrimination or assault because they come with me on life’s journey due diligence: protecting what matters most in this world just like it should always get priority over everything else!
Federal law protects American citizens’ right to practice their faith without fear that we will face punishment if others do not agree; nor may anyone interfere with our ability peacefully assemble around shared values such has prayer circles. I pray that you will grant me an exemption.
(Name, contact information)
Under TITLE VII OF THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT PROHIBITS RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION, the law requires accommodations to be offered for religious exemptions and as such is a concern of. As a Buddhist, The Tripitaka doctrine says our bodies should not fall victim/sacrifice. Accommodating someone else’s belief system which is not in line with my beliefs.
I cannot take this for any reason. I have prayed and reflected on this matter for many weeks.
(Name, contact information)
Going through the process of submitting a religious exemption as an employee or accepting requests as an employe can seem complex. Here’s the process that you can expect. Make sure to keep documentation of all these steps for your own records.
Step 1: Find out where to submit the religious exemption. These can be submitted by email or PDF document using the examples provided above. Usually this request will be submitted to someone in HR, but ask your manager who to contact.
Step 2: Wait for approval or denial of the religious exemption. A reasonable time to wait for a decision is 5 business days. This is the time period when a company will determine if a request is made based on sincerely held religious beliefs.
Step 3: Determine Reasonable Accommodation. If the religious exemption is approved then you’ll need to work out a reasonable accommodation. Here’s the definition of reasonable accommodation according to the U.S. Department of Labor:
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done during the hiring process. These modifications enable an individual with a disability to have an equal opportunity not only to get a job, but successfully perform their job tasks to the same extent as people without disabilities.
The ADA requires reasonable accommodations as they relate to three aspects of employment: 1) ensuring equal opportunity in the application process; 2) enabling a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job; and 3) making it possible for an employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment.
If you are currently performing your work remotely at home, you may propose continuing with this agreement as you are doing. If you need to work on-site, an agreement to social distance could be an option.
This is a conversation between the employee and employer to find a situation that works for both parties. Once an agreement is made, you can continue working under these guidelines.
Step 4: If the request is denied, you will need to write and submit an appeal letter. In this letter you will restate the religious beliefs that prevent you from receiving a vaccine. This gives the employer another opportunity to accept your request. By submitting an appeal letter, you make it possible to take legal action against an employer in the future.
Step 5: If it comes to this seek legal guidance. Employers are not permitted to fire anyone for religious reasons per Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964. Consult an employment lawyer for assistance and provide them with the correspondence you’ve documented.
Ideally, the employee and employer can come to an agreement that works for both parties without getting legal the courts involved. It’s in the best interest of employees and employers to reach follow the law and reach some type of mutually beneficial arrangement.
