Religious Freedom in the Workplace (2005)
WHEREAS, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), charges relating to religious intolerance have risen 85 percent over the last ten years and
WHEREAS, Americans who are denied the ability to observe their religious practices freely may experience serious hardships, such as loss of employment, loss of health insurance, an inability to take care of their families financially, and other tragic situations; and
WHEREAS, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA) has been introduced in United States Congress; and
WHEREAS, WRFA will reinstate the basic right of employees to uphold their freedom of religion by requiring employers to make an affirmative and bona fide effort to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of employees; and
WHEREAS, WRFA also sets forth factors that consider the undue hardships such accommodations might create, and requires that all employees perform their essential job functions; and
WHEREAS, with the passage of WRFA workers who are religiously observant will be able to stay faithful to their religious beliefs and maintain a commitment to their jobs.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism supports the enactment of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will communicate with the United States Congress about the merits of this legislation and will work cooperatively with other interested organizations to encourage its passage; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will encourage its member congregations and congregants to actively support this legislation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism will support future legislation in the United States and/or Canada that provides or protects meaningful religious freedom in the workplace.
