LEWISTON — In the wake of the Abercrombie and Fitch case, the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and the Central Maine Human Resource Association are co-sponsoring a program on handling religious accommodation issues to assist businesses.

The seminar will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the chamber offices, 415 Lisbon St. It is for all sizes of businesses.

Panelists include Fred Frohardt of Central Maine Health Care, Sahil Sanan of Androscoggin Bank, and Rebecca Webber of Skelton Taintor & Abbott.

Attendees can ask that particular issues be addressed. Such requests should be emailed in advance to Webber at [email protected].

The panelists will address issues ranging from requests to pray at work, fasting, proselytizing, requests not to work on certain shifts, requests not to perform certain types of work, preparations for prayer such as cleansing, to requests for time off for certain events, religious garb, hairstyles, or other forms of dress, and more. Questions from the audience will be welcome.

The objective of the program is to increase the knowledge about religious practices, define what is a reasonable accommodation under the law, and identify work practices that create barriers as well as work practices and solutions that are recommended.

Registration and networking begin at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $25 for chamber and CMHRA members and $50 for others. Attendees are encouraged to register online by going to: www.androscoggincounty.com/events or call 783-2249 to reserve a spot.