On July 28th, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management issued a memorandum requiring federal agencies to protect religious expressions in the workplace, citing that religious freedom is protected by the U.S. Constitution. This marks one of the most comprehensive efforts in decades to defend federal employees’ beliefs and freedoms, reflecting the Trump administration’s emphasis on religious freedom.
The policy explicitly states that federal employees can display items like the Bible and crosses on their desks, organize prayer groups outside of work hours, and even attempt to recruit colleagues to join their religious faith on their own time.
The Office of Personnel Management instructed federal agencies to take proactive measures to safeguard religious expression in the workplace in a government-wide memorandum released on Monday. The memorandum provides clear guidelines and specific examples of protected religious behaviors to ensure that federal employees can express their religious beliefs through prayer, personal items, group gatherings, and discussions without fear of discrimination or retaliation.
Scott Kupor, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, stated in a release, “Federal employees should never have to choose between faith and profession.” He emphasized that this guidance ensures federal workplaces not only comply with the law but also welcome all Americans of different faiths.
Kupor added that the Trump administration is restoring freedoms granted by the Constitution, making government agencies a place that respects, rather than excludes, faith. The guidance explicitly states that the Constitution and relevant laws clearly protect religious freedom and that federal agencies must provide a friendly work environment for those expressing their faith, avoiding discrimination and ensuring employees are not punished for their beliefs.
According to the First Amendment of the Constitution, federal employees can engage in religious activities in federal workplaces as long as they do not disrupt agency operations. Personal religious items such as the Bible, crosses, and scripture posters can be displayed on desks or common areas.
Colleagues can voluntarily organize prayer or Bible study groups outside of work hours, which agencies cannot unreasonably restrict. Federal employees are allowed to express religious views publicly in a personal capacity, as long as they do not speak in an official capacity.
Employees can also request remote work or flexible hours to accommodate religious activities. The guidance further recommends that all federal agencies review their policies and make adjustments as necessary to align with the principles of internal conduct, personnel policies, and protection of religious freedom outlined in this guidance.
It explicitly states that “employees can discuss religious topics with colleagues, including attempting to persuade others to believe in the correctness of their own religious viewpoints, provided that such behavior does not constitute harassment.” It emphasizes that if others are unwilling to participate in such discussions, it should not result in any form of workplace discipline.
This policy is based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits religious discrimination in the workplace. The guidance expands on the Reasonable Accommodations for Religious Purposes guidance released by the Office of Personnel Management on July 16th and aligns with Executive Orders 14202 (Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias) and 14291 (Establishment of the Religious Liberty Commission), both of which require federal agencies to safeguard religious freedom.
President Trump has consistently upheld a conservative Christian worldview and implemented policies aimed at addressing concerns about attacks on Christian religious freedom.