From damaging public opinion, to the myriad implementation concerns such as what even constitutes a religious belief to be accommodated, these challenges should serve as a warning to legislators and religious accommodation advocates to reconsider application of these enhanced obligations to the civil service.
James N. Szymalak is Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, USA. Prior to this, he served as a senior personnel policy legal advisor to the Headquarters, US Department of the Army.
1. Introduction.- 2. The Obligation to Accommodate.- 3. What Even Constitutes Religion?.- 4. Expanding Religious Accommodation.- 5. Applying the Heightened Standard.- 6. Challenges of an Expanded Obligation.- 7. Threatening Legitimacy.