Federal workers may discuss faith, ask colleagues to ‘re-think’ beliefs: Memo

The Trump administration has issued new guidance on religious freedom protections in the federal workplace

telling all government agencies they must allow federal employees to express their faith openly

Part of the guidance allows co-workers to discuss faith with one another

and employees are allowed to discuss why they believe others should rethink their religious beliefs

as long as it's done so respectfully. The Office of Personnel Management's director, Scott Kapoor, issued a statement along with the new religious freedom guidance

saying federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career

This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law, but welcoming to Americans of all faiths

Here are a few things permitted under the new order. Employees can keep Bibles, rosary beads, mezuzahs, and other religious keepsakes on their desks

They can also wear crosses and other religious clothing. Employees can pray during work breaks, either alone or with coworkers

And they're allowed to invite colleagues to their church. The memo listed a few specific examples of what is allowed such as allowing public employees like a park ranger leading a tour through a national park may join her tour group in prayer

Or a doctor at the VA hospital may pray over his patient for her recovery

Federal agencies may broadly restrict posters overall, but cannot single out a ban on religious posters

When it comes to conversations allowed between co-workers, The memo explains during a break, an employee may engage another in polite discussion of why his faith is correct and why the non-adherent should rethink his religious beliefs

However, if the non-adherent requests such attempts to stop, the employee should honor the request

This sort of religious protection in the workplace isn't entirely new. A 1997 policy under President Clinton was worded very similarly

saying federal employees could discuss religion and share their beliefs, but also had to stop if someone asked them to do so