Md. Code Regs. 17.04.11.16

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 17.04.11.16 - Religious Observances

A. An employee, including a temporary employee, may elect to work overtime to earn compensatory time for an absence for a religious observance, in accordance with State Personnel and Pensions Article, Title 9, Subtitle 8, Annotated Code of Maryland.

B. If an employee is scheduled to work on a State holiday, the employee's appointing authority shall make reasonable accommodation to the employee's request to use leave for religious observance if accommodations can be made without serious interference with the efficiency of the unit or institution. If reasonable accommodations cannot be made, the appointing authority may deny the leave request.

C. Earned Compensatory Time for Religious Observance.

(1) An employee may submit to the employee's appointing authority a request to work extra time to compensate for time off for religious observances. If a modification in a work schedule does not interfere with the efficient operation of an agency, the appointing authority shall permit an employee to work extra time to make up time lost if the employee elects to work the extra time to satisfy a religious observance. The extra time worked shall be granted as compensatory time off.

(2) An employee who elects to perform compensatory work under this section shall receive religious observance leave in accordance with State Personnel and Pensions Article, § 9-803, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. A unit may adopt written policies which provide for exceptions to this regulation in the interest of the efficient operation of the unit. Any policies shall be reported to the Office of Human Resources, Department of Budget and Management, before they are implemented.

E. This regulation does not apply to employees of a unit which must provide a service continuously on a 7-day-a-week basis.

Md. Code Regs. 17.04.11.16