Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released a new section of its Compliance Manual dealing with religious discrimination claims under Title VII.  In announcing the new guidance, the EEOC noted the growing number of religious discrimination claims filed in the U.S.  The guidance does not contain new law.  It compiles EEOC and court positions on the definition of religion, reasonable accommodation of religious beliefs, religious harassment, and balancing multiple religious faiths that may be present in any workplace.

In addition to the new Compliance Manual section, the EEOC also released an accompanying question and answer sheet, and a listing of employer best practices.  All of these documents can be found at the EEOC’s Web site, www.eeoc.gov.