Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2007
Next Tuesday the U.S. House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions is scheduled to hold hearings on the Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2007 ( H. R. 1431).
This important legislation promotes the free exercise of religion by strengthening workplace protection of employee's right to follow his or her religious beliefs. Specifically, it amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to require that employers "reasonably accommodate" employee's religious practices, so long as this does not create an "undue hardship" for the employer.
The North American Religious Liberty Association has a nice information pack on the WRFA (.pdf). Of note, the pamphlet sites a disturbing U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission report that between 1993 and 2003, workplace claims of religious discrimination shot up 82%.
You can send letters in support of this bill to your Representative and Senators by filling out a form here.
UPDATE: In response to my letter (submitted at the above website) Senator Corker's office e-mails, in part:
I agree with you that religious freedom is a fundamental American right and that no American worker should be discriminated against because of their religious beliefs. I look forward to reviewing this legislation, and, should it come before the full Senate, I will certainly take your thoughts on this issue into consideration.I've not yet received a response from Senator Alexander or Representative Duncan.
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