Religious observances

The university has a legal obligation to take reasonable measures to accommodate employees and students who request time off for religious observances for which a day of observance is not provided by statute.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for a religious or spiritual observance, it is important to provide reasonable advance notice of your intended absence.

For employees

For undergraduate students

See Accommodation of Religious Observance on the Undergraduate Academic calendar. 

Follow the above link, type "observance" into the search calendar field and then click "Accommodation on Religious Observance".

For graduate students

See Accommodation of Religious Observance on the Graduate Academic calendar. 

Follow the above link, type "observance" into the search calendar field and then click "Accommodation on Religious Observance".

We have developed the list of religious observances below in consultation with Multifaith Services.  The lists are not exhaustive of all faith groups.  Please consult with Equity and Human Rights for further information.

In addition, for Muslims, prayer time on Fridays (12:30 to 1:30 p.m. PST; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Daylight Savings Time) is an important religious observance. Appropriate accommodation may be to allow a flexible lunch hour, or flexible schedule where the employee can adjust their schedule to make up the time.

Dates of religious observances

Add dates to an Electronic Calendar

  • Click here for the Religious Observances .ics file for Sept. 2023 to Aug. 2024.  It will automatically save the .ics file to your downloads folder. With Microsoft Outlook, follow these steps:
    • In your calendar, Click File > Open & Export > Import/Export
    • Click Import an iCalendar (.ics) and then click Next
    • Select the file from your downloads folder and choose Import (brings the dates into your current calendar)
  • For other electronic calendar instructions, go to the Systems page and follow the appropriate instructions. Add religious observances (scroll down to technical questions) or send an email- eqhr@uvic.ca  

Other information

  • Print calendar: The calendar produced by the UVic Bookstore includes these dates.
  • Contact Multifaith Services for information on local observances.
  • More information of all religious or spiritual celebrations in the Interfaith Calendar.
  • AMSSA: The Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA) produces a Multifaith Calendar which includes many additional religious and cultural occasions.

Contact us if you have questions about accommodations.