Federal Workers Can Now Talk About Faith at Work

The Trump administration has given federal employees the green light to discuss their religious beliefs at work. This includes trying to convince colleagues about their faith, as long as it's not harassing.

Key Points

• Memo from Office of Personnel Management (OPM):
• Workers have the right to express their religion at work.
• Allowed activities include:
• Talking about religion.
• Displaying religious items on desks.
• Inviting coworkers to religious services.
• Additional permissions:
• Praying over patients.
• Joining tour groups in prayer.

• Putting up religious posters.

• Limitations:

• Agencies can still limit speech if it interferes with work or is harassing.

• Historical Context:
• The policy is not entirely new, as the Clinton administration had similar guidelines in 1997.

Broader Efforts

This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to allow federal workers to express their religious beliefs.

• Recent Actions:
• OPM advised agencies to be flexible when workers request time off or schedule changes for religious reasons.
• In February, President Trump signed an executive order accusing the Biden administration of anti-Christian bias and set up a task force to investigate.

Criticism

Not everyone is on board with this new policy.

• Freedom From Religion Foundation:
• Called the policy "outrageous and unconstitutional."
• Argued that it encourages proselytizing in the workplace.
• Expressed concern about:
• Supervisors evangelizing to their subordinates.
• Federal workers proselytizing to the public they serve.