Balancing Religious Liberties and Antidiscrimination Interests in the Public Employment Context: The Impact Of Masterpiece Cakeshop and American Legion

Authors

Brenda Bauges, University of Idaho, College of Law

Abstract

Finally, this Article concludes by analyzing different potential methods for trying to balance religious liberty claims with antidiscrimination concerns, and thus Establishment Clause concerns, in public employment. This Article argues for a combination of relevant tests that balances the magnitude and likelihood of third party harm, substantiality of burden to religious liberty, and availability or prevalence of secular accommodations. This test provides room for factual inquiry and context-specific value judgments, while still allowing a workable framework, the results of which are sufficiently predictable that employers and employees are not left to wonder about the boundaries by which their relationship should be governed.

Recommended Citation

Brenda Bauges, Balancing Religious Liberties and Antidiscrimination Interests in the Public Employment Context: The Impact Of Masterpiece Cakeshop and American Legion, 54 U. Rich. L. Rev. 943 (2020).
Available at: https://scholarship.richmond.edu/lawreview/vol54/iss4/3