Trump administration interest in religious freedom moves to the Labor Department

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The Department of Labor issued a directive Friday that makes it easier for federal contractors to claim their religious beliefs as a defense against anti-LGBTQ discrimination charges.

On August 10, the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) issued an enforcement directive that says investigators should consider recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and recent executive orders relating to issues of religious freedom. The directive wouldn’t directly have an effect on the 2014 executive order that says government contractors can’t discriminate against employees or applicants in the LGBTQ community, according to Bloomberg. It does mean, however, that auditors in this office can, under certain circumstances, allow for religious exemptions in situations relating to discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

The directive reads, “Recent court decisions have addressed the broad freedoms and anti-discrimination protections that must be afforded religion-exercising organizations and individuals under the United States Constitution and federal law. … Recent Executive Orders have similarly reminded the federal government of its duty to protect religious exercise-and not to impede it.”

It referred to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which involved a baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The Court reversed the Colorado Civil Rights Commission’s decision and said it showed bias during its consideration of the religious freedom defense, but that these concerns were unique to the case. The directive also referred to the 2017 case from Missouri, Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer, where the Court decided that it is a violation of the First Amendment’s guarantee of free exercise of religion to deny religious organizations the ability to apply to a neutral and secular aid program.

https://thinkprogress.org/trump-administration-interest-in-religious-freedom-moves-to-the-labor-department-afdc7b2d449b/

[bigbrother05]

1. They keep shopping their crap around hoping to get a lazy judge to back them

There is no strategy, just trying to use the weight of the federal government to force through their heinous acts.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. U.S. Department of Labor announces new policies to ensure equal employment opportunity and....

Please don't write her. She just puts out the press releases. She is NOT responsible for this decision.

News Release

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES NEW POLICIES TO ENSURE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) today announced two new policy directives focused on ensuring equal employment opportunity and protecting Americans’ religious freedom. The equal employment opportunity directive calls for more comprehensive reviews of contractor compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, and the religious freedom directive protects the rights of religion-exercising organizations.

By law, federal contractors are required to take affirmative steps to ensure equal opportunity in their employment processes. OFCCP enforces federal laws that prohibit federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and status as a qualified individual with a disability or protected veteran. In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discriminating against applicants or employees because they inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or that of others, subject to certain limitations. The Agency’s directives provide guidance to OFCCP staff and federal contractors regarding enforcement and compliance policy and procedures.

Through the directive issued today, the Department announced that it is implementing a comprehensive compliance initiative, which seeks to ensure compliance with equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination regulations in all of its protected groups. As part of this initiative, OFCCP will add focused reviews to its compliance activities, with comprehensive onsite reviews focused on each of the three enforcement authorities OFCCP enforces: Executive Order 11246, as amended; Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended.

The second directive instructs OFCCP staff – in all their activities – to take into account recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and White House Executive Orders that protect religious freedom. The Supreme Court issued rulings in 2014, 2017, and 2018 that safeguard the broad freedoms and anti-discrimination protections that must be afforded religion-exercising organizations and individuals under the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Additionally, President Donald J. Trump has issued Executive Orders making clear the Administration’s commitment to robust protections for religious freedom, as well as ensuring a level playing field for faith-based organizations to compete for federal grants, contracts, programs, and other funding opportunities.

Release Date August 10, 2018
Release Number 18-1322-NAT
Contact Name Megan Sweeney
Phone Number [phone]
Email [email protected]