(SACRAMENTO, CA, 10/9/2023) — The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today celebrated Governor Gavin Newsom’s enactment of SB 461, authored by Senator Aisha Wahab and sponsored by CAIR-CA, which will allow state employees to use an allotted eight hours of holiday credit for holidays related to an employee’s religion, culture, or heritage.
Currently, the time may only be used for certain predetermined holidays. The bill successfully passed the legislature on Sept. 6, 2023.
In a statement, CAIR-CA Policy & Government Affairs Manager Nazeehah Khan said:
“California is one of the most diverse states in the nation, and that diversity is reflected in its state service. This bill not only acknowledges state diversity—it celebrates it. As growing numbers of religious and ethnic minorities work to improve the lives of vulnerable Californians through state service, they face hurdles in workplace inclusion. We cannot push for workforce diversity without considering how to be inclusive of multicultural needs. This bill nurtures those steps toward inclusion and creates a precedent for other sectors to implement similar practices.
“We celebrate Governor Newsom’s commitment to celebrating diversity and realizing equality for religious and ethnic minorities who devote themselves to state service. We thank Senator Wahab for her determined leadership on this crucial piece of legislation and coauthors Senator Becker, Cortese, Min, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, and Weiner for their strong support. We are grateful to partner with lawmakers who value and prioritize workplace inclusion and safety.”
As part of a continuous effort to improve religious accommodations and create safe working environments, CAIR-CA has also worked in previous years to advocate for laws such as AB 1964 (2012), which allowed religious dress and grooming practices to be covered by protections against religious discrimination in the workplace.
Studies have shown that amplifying the authentic narratives of communities and celebrating their diversity is the most effective way to address instances of hate, discrimination, and bullying. SB 461 helps California achieve that goal, and CAIR-CA looks forward to continuing the fight for California Muslims’ civil liberties in the 2024 legislative cycle.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” to help employers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the workplace.
CAIR: An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, eelkadi@cair.com, (714) 851-4851