|
June 21, 2002
Union Of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
Hails Passage Of New York Law To Protect
Religious Observance & Expression In The
Workplace; Applauds Leadership Of Speaker
Silver, Senator Bruno, Governor Pataki And Atty.
General Spitzer
Today, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of
America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization –
hailed the New York State legislature’s passage late last night of
legislation to promote and protect the ability of people of faith to have
their religious needs accommodated by their employers.
The New York Workplace Religious Freedom Act is amends the State’s
anti-discrimination laws to ensure that no one ought to be forced to
choose between their career and their conscience. The measure will
encourage employers to accommodate their employees’ observance of
religious holidays by allowing them flexible working hours in order to
take time off for such religious observances. The measure will also
promote the ability of employees to wear clothing or groom themselves in a
manner consistent with their religious faith (ie: observant Jews’ ability
to wear skullcaps, Sikhs’ to wear beards & turbans, etc.).
This legislation is a high priority issue for the Orthodox Union and its
constituency, as well as many other religious communities, which is
promoting similar bipartisan legislation currently pending in the U.S.
Congress. The New York legislation was developed initially in concert with
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, and
quickly championed by Governor George Pataki and Senate Majority Leader
Bruno, as well as Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and Senator Dean Skelos.
In the wake of the legislature’s passage of the Workplace Religious
Freedom measure, Union president Harvey Blitz stated: “the Orthodox Union,
its constituents and, indeed, all New Yorkers of all faiths are very
grateful today to the Governor, Speaker, Attorney General, Senate Majority
Leader and, in truth, all of our elected representatives in Albany who
have once again affirmed America’s commitment to religious liberty. In the
wake of 9/11, it is more important than ever for us to reaffirm our
commitment to this noble principle and to ensure that it is protected in
the real lives of people. The legislation passed last night does just
this, and we are, again, very grateful.”
|
