January 14, 2000

COURT DECISION HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF PROTECTION FOR
EMPLOYEES’ RELIGIOUS NEEDS ON THE JOB

Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, through its Institute for Public Affairs, pointed to a recent Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision as another instance highlighting the lack of protection for the religious needs of Americans in the workplace.

Mr. Lynn Weber, a Jehovah’s Witness, is currently appealing his case against Roadway Express, Inc. Weber is a truck driver who informed his employer at his job interview and afterward that his religious beliefs prevent him from making long-haul overnight runs with a female partner who is not his wife. Approximately two weeks after being hired, Mr. Weber was told that working with women was part of his job and that if he would not accept driving assignments with women, he would receive no more assignments.

Nathan Diament, director of the Union’s Institute for Public Affairs, issued the following statement in connection with the decision:

This is another example, of the fact that religious Americans are forced to make choices between their faith and their livelihood. Current law does not sufficiently protect the religious needs of people on the job. The Orthodox Union is working with concerned members of congress to address this affront to religious freedom and to ensure that religious Americans are no longer faced with this un-American choice. The Workplace Religious Freedom Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate in September by a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, led by Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and John Kerry (D-MA). Congress must act to put a stop to the kind of offensive behavior perpetrated against working class Americans of faith such as Lynn Weber.

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