In a new guide aimed at federal workers and in letters to agency heads, Americans United is countering disinformation about religious expression in the federal workplace circulated by the Trump administration.
AU prepared the guide after the federal Office of Personnel Management issued a memo July 28 titled “Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace.”
The memo, AU charged at the time of its release, was designed to foster religious coercion and proselytizing. For example, the memo stated that a Veterans Affairs doctor could pray over a hospitalized patient or a park ranger could join a tour group in prayer.
In its letter to 19 agency heads, AU asserted that the memo “provides incorrect legal advice.” AU added, “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’s letter explains the Trump administration’s OPM guidance misinterprets a recent Supreme Court decision to incorrectly claim federal workers 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.
To help federal workers better understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace, Americans United is distributing a “Know Your Rights” guide.
AU’s 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.
“The Trump administration is paving the way for the Christian Nationalists appointed by Trump to proselytize federal workers with impunity,” Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, 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.”
To access a copy of the guide, go to: www.au.org/kyrfederal.
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.