By BJC Staff Reports
Sponsored by the Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee, the 2015 Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest is open to all high school juniors and seniors.
The grand prize is $2,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C. Second prize is $1,000 and third prize is $500.
The topic is as follows: Under federal law, employers cannot discriminate on the basis of religion — and other protected categories — when hiring if they have 15 or more employees. A conflict can arise when an employer refuses to allow an employee to wear religious clothing at work or refuses to hire someone because of such attire. For example, clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch claimed its “look policy” allowed it to not hire a Muslim woman who wanted to wear a hijab — or head scarf — on the sales floor. In an essay, discuss whether and to what extent an employer should be able to dictate an employee’s attire — such as denying an employee’s request to wear religious garb. Should the image or brand the employer portrays with a dress code trump the employee’s religious expression? What are the broader implications for religious liberty?
Visit BJConline.org/contest for entry forms and details.
From the November/December 2014 Report From the Capital. Click here to read the next article.
