DATE
EMPLOYER NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE
RE: (YOUR NAME):
Dear (NAME),
As I believe you are aware, I am a Seventh-day Adventist. I observe the seventh-day of the week (Saturday) as the Sabbath as taught by my church in harmony with the Old and New Testament teachings of the Bible. I would be a violation of my deeply held sincere religious conviction to work on Sabbath--the 24 hour period from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. Since our company operates on the basis of a five-day workweek, Monday through Friday, there has not been any problem in my work schedule regarding having the hours of the Sabbath off.
As we approach the winter months, however, the sun sets earlier than at present. In order to retain my integrity in Sabbath observance, it is important that I be allowed to leave work each Friday just prior to sunset. I anticipate this arrangement would be necessary for only 5 or 6 weeks, or until the sun starts to set after 5:00 p.m. I realize the need for this requested accommodation is still a few months away, but I wanted to make arrangements in advance so that we can discuss it and plan.
Please bear in mind that I do not request to have the Sabbath off in order to have an extra day at home to catch up on odd jobs or to engage in recreation or amusements. Secular activities—shopping, sports, employment, and entertainment—are laid aside. The Sabbath is sacred to me and I devote these hours to God.
I therefore respectfully request that you make an accommodation for my religious belief, observance, and practice in keeping with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the guidelines of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by allowing me to leave work on the Fridays in question just prior to sundown. I am willing to come to work earlier on Fridays, come to work on Sunday, or to cooperate in whatever arrangements may need to be made so I can retain my Sabbath observance according to my convictions.
I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding this request.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME)
cc: Alan J. Reinach, Esq.
Executive Director and General Counsel
Church State Council