I have an employee (a nursing assistant) who refuses to complete care
on deceased residents (this is also a requirement on the job
description).  He states this is because of religious
beliefs.  As an employer, what questions can I ask or information can
I request as to whether this is really a valid request?  I do not want
to take his "word" for this without some type of verification.

For starters, ask him his religion.

And tell us where this is, US state, other country.

He is in the United States.

religion can be just his set of beliefs and does not need a formal
institution for validation.


If he cannot perform required tasks fire him, and hire someone who can.

If it is in the job description or something that may turn up
exployees must state their situation BEFORE starting their job if they
want to make a case in court.

Some people use the "religious belief" line like some other use the "race card".\
Do not be intimidated.  Start to document everything.  Have a meeting
with the employee, you and another management person.  Go over his job
description with him and explain what is expected of him.  Follow up
with a letter to him explaining what you go over in the meeting.  Make
it plain that failure to perform will result in termination.  You may
get the "I'll sue you" etc. response.  If his religion forbids him to
do things someone in his occupation would normally do, he picked the
wrong profession.  Conside a police officer who would not take a life
because his religion prohibited it.  Wouldn't be a police officer for
too long and no court in the country would uphold him being a police
officer.  However, don't get involved in any discussion about
religion.  This is a discussion about what his position requires him
to do and th consequences of not performing those duties.