New Federal Guidance Expands Religious Expression in the Workplace
Recent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) clarifies and expands the religious freedoms of federal employees, allowing for greater expression of faith within the workplace.This memo builds upon previous actions taken during the Trump administration to prioritize religious liberty within federal service. But what does this mean for you, and what are the potential implications?
What the New Guidance Allows:
The OPM memo details several ways federal employees can now practice and express their faith, including:
personal Religious Items: You can now openly display religious items like Bibles, rosaries, or tefillin at your workspace.
Prayer and Scripture Study: Forming prayer groups and engaging in scripture study is permitted during non-duty hours.
Religious Conversations: You’re allowed to discuss your faith with colleagues, even attempting to share your beliefs, as long as these conversations remain respectful and avoid harassment.
Public-Facing Roles: The guidance extends to roles interacting with the public, citing examples like park rangers leading tours in prayer or VA doctors offering prayer to patients (with consent, of course).
Essentially, the OPM is signaling a more permissive habitat for religious expression, moving away from stricter interpretations of the separation of church and state within the federal goverment.
Building on Previous Actions
This latest memo isn’t an isolated event. It follows earlier initiatives aimed at increasing religious accommodation. for example, OPM previously released guidance encouraging agencies to be “generous” in approving religious accommodations for remote work, even as President Trump directed employees back to the office.
Furthermore, in February, President Trump signed an Executive Order focused on “eradicating anti-christian bias.” This order directs Administration officials to investigate and address any perceived targeting of Christians,alleging a pattern of bias during the previous administration.
Why This Matters to You
As a federal employee, understanding these changes is crucial. You now have greater clarity regarding your rights to practice your faith at work.Tho, it’s significant to remember that these rights are not absolute.
harassment is Prohibited: Sharing your faith cannot cross the line into harassment or coercion.
Duty Requirements come First: Religious activities must not interfere with your official job duties. Respect for Others: A diverse workplace requires respecting the beliefs (or lack thereof) of all colleagues.
Concerns and Context
While proponents argue this guidance protects religious freedom, some experts have raised concerns. They point to the potential for creating a less inclusive environment for employees of different faiths or no faith at all.The broader context is the establishment of a Religious Liberty Commission under the Trump administration, which has sparked debate about its potential impact on the separation of church and state. You can learn more about the commission and the concerns surrounding it here: What Exactly Is Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission-and Why Have Some Experts Raised Concerns?
Looking Ahead
The implementation of this guidance will be closely watched. It remains to be seen how agencies will interpret and apply these new rules, and whether they will lead to any legal challenges. For now, federal employees should familiarize themselves with the OPM memo and agency-specific policies to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities.
Resources:
OPM Guidance on Religious Accommodations: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/latest-memos/reasonable-accommodations-for-religious-purposes/
President Trump’s Executive Order on Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/eradicating-anti-christian-bias/
Reuters Article on Return to office Order: [https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-orders-
