Version 2 – October 2021
Request for COVID-19 Vaccine Exception for Religious Reasons/Religious Accommodation
As a result of the current and ongoing nationwide public health emergency and to promote the
health and safety of the Federal workforce, Executive Order 14043 mandates Coronavirus
Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination for all Federal employees, subject to exceptions as
required by law. The Department of the Navy (DON) has a duty to provide and maintain a
workplace that is free of known hazards, and the vaccination requirement will help to slow the
spread of COVID-19 and assist in the prevention of infection.
The DON is also committed to providing equal employment opportunities (EEO) without regard
to any protected status and a work environment that is free of unlawful harassment,
discrimination, and retaliation. As such, the DON is committed to complying with all laws
protecting employees’ religious beliefs, practices, and observances under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964. When requested, the DON will provide an exception/religious
accommodation for an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, or practices and observances,
that prohibit the employee from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, provided the requested religious
accommodation is reasonable and does not create an undue hardship for the DON. To be eligible
for a possible exception, you must first establish that your refusal to be vaccinated is based upon
a sincere belief that is religious in nature.
Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to immunization do not justify
granting an exception or religious accommodation. An objection due to a personal preference is
not a “religious belief” protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A request for an
accommodation may not be granted if it is not reasonable, or if it creates an undue hardship.
Even if an exception to the vaccination requirement is approved, an employee may still be
required to wear a face mask, practice social distancing, and/or provide COVID-19 test results
according to DON requirements and guidelines.
To request an exception/religious accommodation related to the DON COVID-19 vaccination
policy, please complete this document and return it to your Supervisor. This information will be
used by your Supervisor, your servicing EEO office, Office of General Counsel, Human
Resources Office, or other appropriate personnel to determine eligibility and potentially engage
in the interactive discussion with you in the search for an effective religious accommodation. In
order to qualify for the exception, employees are required to provide a written and signed
statement below objecting to the COVID-19 vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief
that prohibits immunization, in which case supporting documentation may be required.
Completing this document constitutes a declaration that the information you provide is, to the
best of your knowledge and ability, true and correct. Any intentional misrepresentation to the
Federal Government may result in legal consequences, including removal or termination from
Federal Service. Failure to provide information needed for the processing of the religious
accommodation request will impact the DON’s ability to adequately understand the nature of
your request, which can lead to denial of the religious accommodation request. Once the DON
has enough information to make a determination, you will be notified as to the approval or denial
of your request for exception/religious accommodation.
