reply to the students response in 150 words minimum and provide 1 reference
question
Jason works for a car rental agency. Part of his religious observance is to pray several times per day. He approaches Supervisor Jan with a request for two additional 10-minute breaks per day in order to engage in prayer.
Student response
It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer— (1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s . . . religion . . . or (2) to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an employee, because of such individual’s religion . . . [Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; 42 U.S.C. § 20002-2(a).] Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . [First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.]
Supervisor Jan is telling Jason that he needs to cease sharing his religion with other coworkers as they have complained to Jan about Jason. Jason is also asking for two 10 minute breaks a day for prayer. Jan or other coworkers aren’t allowed to discriminate against Jason about his religion. Jan would need to allow Jason the breaks for prayer. The rest of the employees could ask Jason to not share his religious beliefs with them during their lunch. Jason would still be allowed to practice his religious beliefs, but would be thinking about other people in this regard. The other employees wouldn’t be allowed to taunt, bully, make fun of, or discriminate against Jason for his beliefs.
The Peterson v. Hewlett Packard Co. are a little similar. An employee was posting biblical messages with the intent to hurt LGBT employees so they would repent. Jason may not be intentionally hurting anyone but he was sharing his religion with others that were not interested in his religion or didn’t want to partake. Making others feel negative or intentionally hurting them due to religious beliefs, isn’t a great way to come across while in the workplace. Jason had a much calmer approach. Jason would and should be allowed his 2 10 minute breaks for prayer each day with no repercussions. Talking with other employees in sharing his religious beliefs is different and would probably be asked to dial it down or only share with those interested as long as it doesn’t interfere with work.
Bennett-Alexander, D., & Hartman, L. P. (2019). Employment law for business. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education
