The Trump administration on Monday told federal workers that they could talk about religion at work, including “trying to persuade others to persuade their own religious views.”
One in Memorandum For the heads of federal agencies, Personnel Management Office – Human Resource Branch of the government – said that public employees have the right to religious expression in the workplace citing civil rights law and first amendment. This includes the right to discuss religion, engaging in “communal religious manifestations” and displaying items such as their desk, Bibles, crucifixes and mezujahs on the state states.
“During a break, an employee may engage in another humble discussion as to why his trust is correct and why non-partisan should reconsider his religious beliefs,” says this. “However, if non-partisan requests to stop such efforts, the employee should respect the request.”
Five-five memo listed other examples of religious expression, which should not be punished for federal workers. OPM said in its memorandum that employees can invite colleagues who belong to other religions in their church or invite for Easter services on communal bulletin boards; Employees can display religious posters, doctors of veteran cases can pray on their patients, and join their tour groups in Park Rangers prayer for National Park Services.
According to the memorandum, agencies can still widely limit the speech of the employees-for example, they may need to do “employees on duty,” and they may prevent employees from putting up both religious and non-religious posters. It also said that efforts to convince colleagues about religion cannot be “oppressed in nature”.
Nevertheless, employees should be allowed to engage in private religious expression in work areas, to the same extent that they can engage in non -private private expression, “the office said.
The policy is not completely new. In 1997, Clinton Administration Said Federal employees “can discuss their religious views with each other” and “even fellow employees can try to convince the purity of their religious views” – but they should avoid such expression when a fellow employee asks that it stops. “
For years, Labor Department Online religious discrimination guidelines The employees have said that the employees who want to prosecute the workplace should stop doing so in relation to any person who indicates that communications are underdeveloped. “
OPM director Scott Kupor said on Monday, “Federal employees should never choose between their trust and their career.” statement“This guidance ensures that the federal workplace not only in line with the law, but welcomes Americans of all religions.”
The Monday memorandum comes amidst a widespread push by the Trump administration to express religious beliefs to federal workers. Earlier this month, OPM Said Federal agencies “should adopt a generous approach” when employees ask for permission to work from home or change their schedule for religious reasons citing 2023 Supreme Court case In which a mail carrier requested on Sunday for religious reasons.
In early February, soon after returning to office, President Trump signed an executive order Accusing Biden administration Comprehensive “anti -Christian weapons of the government.” The order established a task force to see the alleged anti-Christian prejudice. Months, State Department Encouraged employee To report any allegation of prejudice.
The tricks are drawn push backThe freedom from rilizan foundation Monday’s memo is called “Inscow and unconstitutional,” is the purpose to protect religious expression in the federal workplace, arguing on guidance, but encourages a lump sum suit. “
The group’s co-chairman, Annie Laurie Gailer, said in a statement, “These shocking changes essentially allow the workplace to promote the workplace, but still worse, allow supervisors to promote sub-stricken and federal workers who serve the public,”.
