Religion in the Workplace: The Challenges of Balancing Productivity and Employment Rights

8-K - The Legal Magazine for Business Executives

Religious Freedom is a core value of American law and culture. The federal discrimination law reflects the importance of religious freedom by making it a protected category to prohibit employer discrimination. These laws hold employers responsible for not discriminating on the basis of religion, for providing reasonable accommodation of religious beliefs and practices, and for preventing and correcting religious harassment. Littler's Dudley Rochelle details employers' responsibilities, and outlines effective policies and training. She states, "In these times of increasing expression of religious faith and religious speech, maintaining this harassment-free environment is a tall order for employers."