Legal Question in Business Law in Pennsylvania

Re: Companies Mission Statement

Your question is interesting. Let�s start with the foundation. Our constitution guarantees the right to practice your own religious beliefs. However, the constitution only governs the relationship between the government and its people. So, in essence, the government may not prohibit your free choice of religion. So, if you are employed by a government agency, then it may not prohibit or interfere with your religious choice.

In our country, fortunately, the constitution is just one of the documents that govern our behavior. Federal statutes also prohibit certain behaviors. In general, an employer (government and private) may not discriminate against a candidate or employee for religious reasons. The federal statute prohibits an employer from using religion (or race or gender or disability) to create a hostile work place for its employees.

In your case, the question would be whether sending out emails and religious quotes equal a �hostile workplace�. The answer depends on your circumstances. What�s interesting about your question, is that the employer is not interfering with your religious practice, but rather the employer�s religious practice is offensive to you. I do not believe the law regulates or requires adults to be �civil� towards one another. But based on the information in your question, I cannot tell you whether a judge would decide the emails are merely uncivil or create a hostile workplace. You should talk to an attorney for specific advice.

As a side note, you are free to leave and find an employer whose mission is aligned with your personal mission. Talk with an attorney about whether you would qualify for unemployment compensation under your circumstances.

Feel free to contact me.

Sharmil McKee

Business Lawyer

McKee Law Office

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

www.MckeeOffice.com