The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), under the leadership of Director Scott Kupor, has recently taken a significant step to bolster religious expression within the federal workplace. In a memo released on July 28, 2025, titled "Protecting Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace," the OPM has directed federal agencies to embrace and facilitate the religious rights of employees.
This guidance allows federal workers to display religious items, engage in prayer during non-duty hours, and discuss their beliefs in a respectful manner. Importantly, employees can also invite colleagues to religious services and express their faith openly, even in roles where they interact with the public, such as national park rangers.
The memo emphasizes that agencies should support religious expression to the fullest extent possible, provided it does not impose an "undue hardship" on operations. It’s worth noting that the discomfort of a co-worker regarding religious expression does not count as an undue hardship. This is a crucial clarification, as it reinforces the right of employees to practice their faith freely.
In addition to this, the OPM has advised agencies to review their internal policies to ensure compliance with the new guidelines. This includes protecting employees from disciplinary action for non-harassing religious expression and allowing supervisors the freedom to engage in discussions about faith.
The memo references Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which defines religion to encompass all aspects of religious observance and practice. However, it also clarifies that not all beliefs qualify as religious under the law, specifically excluding social or political ideologies.
Kupor stated that this guidance is designed to uphold the rights of federal employees of all faiths. "Federal employees should never have to choose between their faith and their career," he remarked. "This guidance ensures the federal workplace is not just compliant with the law but welcoming to Americans of all faiths."
This memo follows closely on the heels of another OPM directive encouraging robust accommodations for religious liberty among federal employees, which includes options for telework and modified schedules to honor religious observances.
Andrew T. Walker, an associate dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, praised the new guidance, viewing it as a reaffirmation of First Amendment rights. He noted, "To me, that’s simply reaffirming the First Amendment, with proper caveats if you’re not engaging in harassing behavior."
However, not everyone is in favor of these changes. Attorney Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, criticized the guidance, suggesting it could lead to coercive religious pressure in the workplace. He described the rules as "unconstitutional savagery" and likened them to oppressive regimes.
These memos come amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to combat perceived anti-Christian bias in the federal government. This includes previous executive orders aimed at promoting religious liberty and establishing a task force within the U.S. Department of Justice to address these concerns.
As the landscape of religious expression in the workplace continues to evolve, it’s essential for both employees and employers to understand their rights and responsibilities. The recent OPM guidance marks a pivotal moment in affirming the importance of faith in the federal workforce, ensuring that individuals can express their beliefs without fear of repercussion.
For more information about religious rights in the workplace, you can visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for detailed guidelines and resources.