Time off work for Eid ul-Fitr and Jewish festivals?

With Eid ul-Fitr and Jewish New Year upon us, and with more religious festivals coming up over the next few weeks, employers and employees may wonder if followers are entitled to time off work to celebrate. 

Whilst there is no specific entitlement to take time off for religious observance, employers are encouraged to be sensitive to employees` requests for holiday.  A failure to allow reasonable time off to celebrate religious festivals could be seen as discriminatory on grounds of religion and belief and could leave employers vulnerable to claims, particularly where those festivals require followers not to work.

Employees, for their part, are encouraged to give employers reasonable notice and to follow holiday request procedures to help their employers plan for their absence.