After being issued more than 12 years ago, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted to publish a proposed update to its Compliance Manual section on religious discrimination.  Once published, it will be open and available for public comment.  According to the EEOC, the updated guidance will reflect recent legal developments and emerging issues under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) as they pertain to religious discrimination in the workplace, such as for example, potential reasonable accommodation issues for employees.  Additionally, the updated guidance will address legal defenses which may be available to certain religious employers.

The guidance next will be sent to the Office of Management and Budget so that it will be posted for public comment.