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When Faith and Work Collide

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Faith in the Workplace


 

Historically, legal cases involving religious discrimination at work have been rare, accounting for only a fraction of the charges brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against employers. But that began to change during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many workers sought religious exemptions from employer vaccine mandates. After two 2023 Supreme Court cases gave more weight to free speech rights and religious liberty in the workplace, the number of allegations of religious discrimination by employees is now on an upswing.

"We're entering a whole new world of religion in the workplace," says Frank Shuster, an Atlanta-based lawyer. "It's a whole new landscape." Shuster and other legal experts say the current environment will embolden more employees and advocacy groups to file lawsuits against employers, especially regarding accommodations that enable individuals to practice their faith at work.

That has some companies worried about the kinds of accommodations their workers may request. Lawyers fear dealing with questions such as: What if an employee says their faith requires them to proselytize and they do so in the workplace? What if an employee refuses to work with a gay colleague because their religion condemns homosexuality? What if a company is accused of favoring one religion over another after accommodating a faith-based request?

Some workplace experts believe that having honest conversations about faith with employees can help employers quell religious conflict at work. Others—citing examples such as the fevered pitch of the debate surrounding the Israel-Hamas war—disagree, advising company leaders to avoid wading into what can be heated religious debates.

 
 
 
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Creating a Safe Workspace


 

Company leaders can adopt practices that, while not addressing specific religious faiths, enable employees to respect the rules of their respective religions without impinging on the rights of others.
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Explore Further
 
SHRM's information, tools and resources can help you foster a safe culture of religious inclusion in the workplace.

Supreme Court Fortifies Standard for Religious Accommodations
The Supreme Court has ruled that employers can deny an employee's request for a religious accommodation under federal law only if they can prove it would result in substantial increased costs for the business.

Antisemitism Soars, Creating 'Unprecedented' Threat
More than 3,200 incidents of antisemitism occurred in the U.S. between Oct. 7, 2023, and Jan. 7, 2024, according to data recently released by the Anti-Defamation League—an increase of 360 percent from the same period last year.

SHRM Toolkit: Navigating Religious Beliefs in the Workplace
These resources can help employers adhere to legal frameworks regarding the practice of religion at work and provide advice on how to best foster a welcoming, safe workplace.

SHRM Inclusion Code of Conduct Sample Policy
A sample policy for employers committed to fostering employee inclusion in the workplace.

SHRM Toolkit: Managing Workplace Conflict
These resources examine the causes and effects of workplace conflict—including religion—and how employers should address tension when it arises.

How to Balance Religious Accommodations with Company Vaccination Requirements
Many companies continue to struggle to accommodate employees who don't want to get vaccines due to religious objections.

 
 

Every Saturday, All Things Work from HR Magazine provides thoughtful insights into the rapidly transforming nature of work and the workplace, and how HR, decision-makers and organizations worldwide are navigating and leading this change.

 

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