Should Federal Contractors Be Allowed to Hire & Fire Based on Religious Beliefs?

What’s the story?

• The Trump administration has revealed a proposal that would allow federal contractors to make employment decisions “consistent with their sincerely held religious tenets and beliefs.”
• The Labor Department said “the proposed rule would clarify that religious organizations may make employment decisions consistent with their sincerely held religious tenets and beliefs without fear of sanction by the federal government.”
• In a statement, the agency clarified:

“The exemption entitles an organization to take an applicant or employee’s religion into account when making employment decisions. It does not entitle an organization to take race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status into account.”

What are people saying?

Critics

• “[A] government contractor could cite religion to refuse to hire a single mom or someone who is LGBTQ,” said Rachel Laser, the executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

“And now any for-profit corporation that claims it’s religious can take taxpayer dollars and fire someone who is a religious minority – so fire me, for example, because I’m Jewish.” 

• The Anti-Defamation League also criticized the proposal, tweeting:

“‘No Jews, No Gays, need apply’ is utterly unacceptable & the proposal must be withdrawn.”

Supporters

• “Today’s proposed rule helps to ensure the civil rights of religious employers are protected,” acting Labor Secretary Patrick Pizzella said.

“As people of faith with deeply held religious beliefs making decisions on whether to participate in federal contracting, they deserve clear understanding of their obligations and protections under the law.”

• White House statement:

“In no way does today’s announcement by the Department of Labor undermine the President’s promise and commitment to the LGBTQ community. The proposed rule will continue to responsibly protect religious freedom and members of the LGBTQ community from discrimination.”

What do you think?

Should federal contractors be allowed to use religion as a criterion for hiring and firing? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStock / Rawpixel)