EEOC Religious Guidance Draws Criticism From House Labor Chair

The chairman of a House labor committee expressed concern that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s plans to update a guidance document on religion “may embolden religiously motivated” workplace discrimination and undermine the civil rights agency’s mission.

“Once finalized, the Draft Guidance, though not legally binding, will have real and consequential effects for our workers, workplaces, and employers,” Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, wrote in a letter to the agency.

The EEOC unveiled the proposal on Nov. 17, acknowledging the balance between religious rights and workplace anti-discrimination laws, without clearly stating ...