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March 17, 2005
Union Of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations Applauds
Bipartisan Congressional Introduction Of
Workplace Religious Freedom Bill
Today, the
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s
largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization representing nearly
1,000 congregations nationwide -- joined members of the U.S.
Congress for the introduction of the Workplace Religious Freedom
Act (“WRFA”). The lead sponsors of this legislation, endorsed by a
coalition of 45 diverse faith groups, are Senators Rick Santorum
(R-PA) and John Kerry (D-MA), Representatives Mark Souder (R-IN)
and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). The legislation will amend federal
civil rights laws to reinstate protections for religious employees
in their workplaces that have been undermined by adverse court
rulings.
WRFA will require employers to accommodate the religious
observances of their employees as long as providing such
accommodations will not impose an “undue hardship” upon the
employer and the accommodation does not impair an employee from
performing the “essential functions” of a job. Thus, employers
would be encouraged to afford employees flexible work shifts so
that they may observe religious holy days and permit employees to
wear religiously required garb at work. Employers would also be
encouraged to accommodate “conscience clause” objections by
employees, so long as such accommodation does not adversely affect
other employees or customers or clients of the employer.
Other original co-sponsors of the legislation include: Senators
Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Hillary Clinton (D-NY),
Gordon Smith (R-OR), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sam Brownback (R-KS),
John Ensign (R-NV), Jon Corzine (D-NJ), and Jim Talent (R-MO) as
well as Representatives Eric Cantor (R-VA), Bobby Jindal (R-LA),
Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
Nathan Diament, director of the Union’s Institute for Public
Affairs and a leader of the diverse coalition of religious
organizations supporting WRFA, issued the following statement:
Promoting religious liberty is the highest domestic policy
priority for the Orthodox Union and its national constituency. The
issue of religious accommodation in the workplace is a critical
component of making religious liberty real for Americans of all
faiths. Thus, we strongly support WRFA and deeply appreciate the
leadership of Senators Santorum & Kerry and Representatives Souder
& McCarthy and their colleagues on this issue. We look forward to
continuing our work with them and the diverse members of our
coalition of religious communities to secure passage of this bill
and ensure that no American is forced to choose between career and
conscience.
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