Encountering Religion in the Workplace

In a recent survey, 20 percent of the workers interviewed reported that they had either experienced religious prejudice while at work or knew of a coworker who had been subjected to some form of discriminatory conduct. Indeed, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the filing of religious discrimination charges under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion) increased 75 percent between 1997 and 2008. The growing desire on the part of some religious groups to openly express their faith while at work has forced their employers and coworkers to reconsider the appropriateness of certain aspects of devotional conduct. Religion in the workplace does not sit well with all workers, and, from the employer's perspective, the presence of religious practice during the workday may be distracting and, at times, divisive. A thin line separates religious self-expression—by employees and employers—from unlawful proselytizing.In Encountering Religion in the Workplace, Raymond F. Gregory presents specific cases that cast light on the legal ramifications of mixing religion and work—in the office, on the factory floor, even within religious organizations. Court cases arising under Title VII and the First Amendment must be closely studied, Gregory argues, if we are to fully understand the difficulties that arise for employers and employees alike when they become involved in workplace disputes involving religion, and his book is an ideal resource for anyone hoping to understand this issue.

A well-rounded and engaging synopsis of religious discrimination law..., providing both a readable overview, as well as a unique firsthand perspective from a lawyer with decades of experience in the field.... The heart of the book resides in the many case summaries used throughout the text. They are clear, concise, and often compellingly written., This book has been written for the laypersons and those lawyers who do not specialize in employment law. Every attempt has been made to eliminate technical language and legal jargon and to preclude immersion in legal intricacies and technical data having less than general application.... The broad picture takes precedence over special circumstances that may be relevant only in a limited number of instances. The right to practice one's religion in the work area comes with limitations. That is the primary subject matter of this book—limitations. Under what circumstances is a worker limited in practicing his or her religious beliefs in the workplace?

Raymond F. Gregory is the author of Unwelcome and Unlawful: Sexual Harassment in the American Workplace, also from Cornell, Norman Thomas: The Great Dissenter, Women and Workplace Discrimination, and Age Discrimination in the American Workplace.