Freedom of Religion in the Work place Marketplace Ministry April 19, 2017

Federal and State laws protect the religious freedoms of employees and employer.

What is Title VII and how does it protect? (1) One must hold a sincere religious belief that conflicts (2) One must inform the employer about the conflict; and (3) One must have discharged, disciplined or subjected to discriminatory treatment

Can I share the Gospel with co-workers at work? Employees can engage in religious speech at work as long as there is no actual imposition on co-workers or disruption of the work routine

Can I keep my Bible or other religious items at my desk? An employee can bring his Bible to work and keep it at his desk if he is required to do so by sincerely held religious beliefs.

Can my employer force me to work on jobs that contradict my beliefs? A Title VII requires employers to accommodate employees who refuse to do specific tasks because of a conflict with religious beliefs The employer will be required to grant this request if it can assign these projects to other employees without undue hardship.

Do I have to work on Sundays if my religion prohibits it? A Employers must accommodate requests by employees for absence on their Sabbath or other religious holidays

Religious Speech Employees can engage in religious speech at work as long as there is no actual imposition on co-workers or disruption of the work routine.

When can my employer refuse to accommodate my religious beliefs because it will cause an undue hardship? Employees can take such actions only if it would cause the employer an undue hardship. In order to successfully assert this defense, courts require that the employer demonstrate attempted accommodation before claiming undue hardship. Employers must also be able to show evidence of undue hardship that is more than mere speculation

Rights as an Employer

You cannot discriminate on the basis of religion. This means religion cannot be used as a factor in hiring decisions, promotions, treating employees unequally, or harassment.

You do not lose your religious-liberty rights by engaging in business. All Americans—including business owners—have the rights to live and work according to their beliefs without fear of government compelling them to violate their beliefs.

A business can be run on religious principles. An employer does not discriminate on the basis of religion by affirming the faith of its owners in business objectives, and business owners are not required to abandon their faith when setting principles and ethics for their company.

You may engage in religious speech in the workplace. Employers may talk to employees about faith, so long as faith is not a requirement for continued employment or advancement within the company. Employers cannot, however, take adverse action against an employee for disagreeing with their religious views.

You may have prayer meetings and Bible studies in the workplace. Employers are allowed to hold prayer meetings in the workplace, so long as attendance is not mandatory.

You may have employee training based on biblical principles. Employers are allowed to use training programs that are biblically or faith-based.

Having a right does not mean it will not be challenged in a court of law?

Resources Equal Employment Opportunity Center Human Rights Maryland Commission on Civil Rights Washington Lawyers Committee aimee@thegriffinfirm-pllc.com