Trump administration says federal workers can discuss, promote religious beliefs at work

The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the chief human resources agency for the federal government, issued a government-wide memorandum, directing federal agencies "to take affirmative steps to protect religious expression in the workplace."

"The memo provides clear guidance to ensure federal employees may express their religious beliefs through prayer, personal items, group gatherings, and conversations without fear of discrimination or retaliation," the OPM said in a statement Monday.

“Federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career,” the statement quoted Director Scott Kupor as saying.

“This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths. Under President Trumpʼs leadership, we are restoring constitutional freedoms and making government a place where people of faith are respected, not sidelined,” Kupor said.

According to the letter, public servants have the legal right to share their religious views at work under civil rights protections and the First Amendment.

The guidance permits employees to openly discuss religion, participate in collective religious activities, and display religious symbols at their workstations.

"Employees may engage in conversations regarding religious topics with fellow employees, including attempting to persuade others of the correctness of their own religious views, provided that such efforts are not harassing in nature," said the memo.

"During a break, an employee may engage another in polite discussion of why his faith is correct and why the non-adherent should re-think his religious beliefs," the memo said. "However, if the non-adherent requests such attempts to stop, the employee should honor the request."

"Employees should be permitted to display and use items used for religious purposes or icons of a religiously significant nature, including but not limited to bibles, artwork, jewelry, posters displaying religious messages, and other indicia of religion (such as crosses, crucifixes and mezuzahs) on their desks, on their person, and in their assigned workspaces," the memo read.

The five-page document provides many scenarios in which religious expression is permitted. These include inviting coworkers to religious services, posting holiday event flyers on shared bulletin boards, and displaying religious-themed posters. Veterans Affairs doctors can pray over their patients, and park rangers for the National Park Service can join public prayer during park tours, according to the document.