Are employers required to accommodate an employee at Christmas?  

If an employee requests December 25 off for “family time” or religious events, are those protected grounds under Canadian human rights law?  This arises in industries that stay open 365 days a year, such as hospitals, public transit, variety stores, movie theatres and some restaurants.  For those employees working in these industries, can an employee request accommodation to have December 25 off on the grounds of family status or religion?