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You did the job search; Sent in the perfect resume and cover letter; Aced the job interview; Got the job. Then, you saw the calendar. One of the most important religious holidays is coming up and you must take it off if you are to follow your faith’s practices. Which shouldn’t be a problem, right? You’re in a country that defends the citizens’ rights to free practice of their religion… so it won’t affect you at work, or will it?

The truth is maybe not always the ideal, but it is reality. If your beliefs require that you have certain days which you are not allowed to work, days that are not official government holidays, this is something to mention to your boss. Be cautious when mentioning it while still new at the job, but don’t wait until the last minute, either.

There are some very tactful ways of dealing with religion-specific issues in the workplace, that will be agreeable to both the employer and employee:

1. Work on December 25th or January 1st

   If you’re living in a country that recognizes certain religious holidays as legal, national holidays, offer up yourself to be the ‘go-to-person’ for that day. Head to the office to do a full day’s work. This will likely help your company/team get an edge up in timing, since most people will have taken off for these holidays.

2. Spend a Few Extra Hours in the Office

   For a few religions, a weekday holds significance each week. If this is the case for you, let your boss know that you’re more than willing to come in early and leave late on other days, or to come in early enough on a Friday (if your Sabbath begins Friday evening) to be able to work a full shift and leave in time to make your spiritual deadline.

3. Exchange Sunday for Friday

   In many places around the world, work weeks consist of 6 days, or at least include Sunday. Are you in one where Sundays are part of the weekend? Tell the right people that you’d be happy to come in on that day, to get an early start on the local work week.

4. Work from Home

   Perhaps it’s not quite practical, with your day-to-day schedule, or the scheduling of your company, for you to be in office for extra hours/overtime work. Many jobs today require some amount of work done on the computer, and most via the Internet. Utilize the tools available to efficiently work from home.

5. Stay Healthy and Dependable

   Any civilized company will have given their full-time employees an allotted amount of sick and personal time to take off. Keep yourself in robust health throughout the year, and don’t take a ‘personal day’ to get spa treatments. This will allow you to save your time for the holidays.

6. Take a Cut

   While it’s not the most ideal situation, you could also ask to simply take a pay cut. Based upon the percentage of time you miss due to religious activities, inform your human resources department that you are willing to have your pay appropriately reduced, if any of the above options are not available.

It is definitely not easy for many in the workforce to balance their religious/spiritual lives with their work lives. However, it can be done. If your employer threatens to fire you for missing work due to strictly religious reasons, please seek legal counsel.