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  2. How might First Amendment constitutional issues arise in title VII religious cases?

How might First Amendment constitutional issues arise in title VII religious cases?

The First Amendment religion and speech clauses (“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech”) protect individuals against restrictions imposed by the government.  Government employees’ religious expression is protected by both the First Amendment and Title VII.  See Guidelines on Religious Exercise and Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace (Aug. 14, 1997).  For example, a government employer may contend that granting a requested religious accommodation would pose an undue hardship because it would constitute government endorsement of religion in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Last Modified: Nov 01, 2018