AU helps federal workers assert their religious freedom rights

To combat disinformation the Trump administration distributed about religious expression in the federal workplace, Americans United for Separation of Church and State today launched a campaign to help federal workers and federal agencies better understand rights and responsibilities regarding religious freedom in the federal workplace. AU is distributing a “Know Your Rights” guide for federal employees through various non-governmental channels. AU also wrote to 19 federal agencies, explaining the law protecting federal workers’ religious expression and safeguarding against religious coercion and discrimination. 

Trump administration memo incorrect on federal workers’ religious freedom

In letters to federal agencies, Americans United explained that the Office of Personnel Management’s July 28 memo on Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace, “provides incorrect legal advice.” “Relying on the July 28 OPM memo to formulate internal personnel policy and practice would invite religious freedom violations and expose your agency to risk of litigation,” AU experts wrote.

“The federal government’s role is to serve the public – not to proselytize,” said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser. “The Trump administration’s guidance encourages federal officials to abuse the power of their government office to impose their religious beliefs on others. The Constitution’s promise of church-state separation and religious freedom means that government officials may not impose their or any religion on their colleagues or people who are seeking government services.”

“The Trump administration is paving the way for the Christian Nationalists appointed by Trump to proselytize federal workers with impunity,” Laser said. “Americans United was made for moments like these. We encourage any federal workers or recipients of federal services who believe a federal agency has violated their religious freedom to contact Americans United.”

AU’s letters explain the Trump administration’s OPM guidance misinterprets a recent Supreme Court decision to incorrectly claim federal works can engage members of the public in prayer; omits information about key protections against religious discrimination in federal law and the Constitution; and does not reflect existing religious diversity in the federal workforce, focusing instead only on Christian and Jewish employees.

AU’s “Know Your Rights” guide explains federal workers’ rights and responsibilities

AU’s “Know Your Rights” guide provides detailed examples of religious expression and activities federal workers may engage in as well as explanations of their rights to seek religious accommodations and be free of religious harassment and discrimination. The guide also explains obligations not to proselytize coworkers and the public. AU encourages all federal employees who believe they have experienced or witnessed a religious freedom violation in the federal workplace to report it to AU’s attorneys at www.au.org/report-a-violation.