Alexa Miller Quoted by Bloomberg Law on Faith-Focused Employee Resource Groups

In “Companies Embrace Religion as New Facet of Diversity Efforts,” Bloomberg Law turned to labor and employment partner Alexa Miller for insight on what companies should consider regarding faith-focused employee resource groups (ERGs).

Businesses must be cognizant of potential legal liabilities that may arise, such as wage and hour claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Miller explained. She added that comments about certain religious-themed issues could expose a company to legal problems if a worker feels stigmatized or subject to knee-jerk assumptions about their beliefs.

Although companies have taken different approaches to faith-based ERGs, Miller said employers should establish interfaith groups to avoid the appearance of singling out or endorsing a particular religious group or belief. It’s also an easier way to focus more on religious diversity skill-building opportunities and foster inclusion by encouraging interfaith community-based collaboration, she continued.

“It should be clear that the goal” of a faith-based ERG “is not to proselytize or make political statements. Rather, it’s about engaging in religion as part of the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts,” Miller concluded.

The full article is available for Bloomberg Law subscribers.