Interfaith Holidays

For the current postgrad policy on religious holidays please click here or see below.

Postgrad follows the Interfaith Calendar

Please note: if you require one of these holidays, please inform your supervisor a.s.a.p. - preferably a minimum of one to two months in advance. Thanks

Guidelines for Attendance at Religious Events

Postgraduate programs should make every effort to accommodate religious events and consider such requests with sensitivity and respect. All parties should endeavor to be flexible and realistic in considering the alternatives. As stipulated in the PAIRO/CAHO Agreement, prior to granting any vacation or leave, it must be ensured that patient care responsibilities are met.

It must also be recognized that postgraduate trainees will have to support each other at times when many trainees could be away for a certain religious holiday.

Requests for a full day or major part thereof:

In order for the program to consider the accommodation, it is the trainee’s responsibility to make a request in writing, regarding any leave or absence from the training site. The request should be:

initiated in a timely manner that will allow a reasonable time to reply (as per the PAIRO/CAHO agreement, this request must be made at least 4 weeks ahead of time.)
state that the leave is for religious reasons

A trainee may choose to use a vacation day or day in lieu to attend their religious event. However, the program should be open to other alternatives. Some examples are:

Exchanging call with another trainee.
Taking call on alternate days or statutory holidays.
Postgraduate trainees are entitled to five days of leave over the Christmas/New Year’s Eve period. If a trainee wishes to waive this leave in order to take a five day leave at the time of a religious holiday pertinent to their faith, this request can be made, with the caveat that patient care responsibilities are being met.

Requests for short routine absences

There may be circumstances where Trainees may request time away for short, routine absences, in order to observe their religious practices that take place at the hospital. In these instances it is recommended that the trainee meet with the Program Director and/or Clinical Supervisor, in advance, to discuss how routine absences may be accommodated and develop an overall plan. At the time of his/her departure, it is the professional responsibility of the Trainee to provide adequate notice to the appropriate individuals that s/he is working with. This might be done the day before or the morning of the day when the absence is occurring.

Residents are expected to return to their clinical duties, unless alternative arrangements have been approved.

Policy/Religious guidelines

May 15, 2009