My Boss Started Hosting Prayer Meetings at Work. Now What?
- Claire Mulvey
- Sep 25
- 2 min read
By Claire Mulvey
Signs you may be experiencing religious discrimination in the workplace.
The Appignani Humanist Legal Center (AHLC) regularly receives reports of discrimination in the workplace occurring towards humanists, agnostics and atheists. Nonreligious and nontheistic employees have reported experiencing pressure to participate in workplace prayers and Bible studies; some workers have had to listen to worship music and sermons on the job.
In the current far-right Christian nationalist climate, AHLC Director Amitai Heller expects these types of incidents in the workplace to increase.
On September 8, 2025, President Donald Trump launched his “America Prays” initiative. Published on the White House website, this initiative urges Americans to gather in groups of ten or more every week and pray together for one hour. So far, 41 religious groups nationwide – all of them Christian, have sponsored “America Prays.” This development, combined with a recent directive that encourages federal employees to proselytize in the workplace, creates a cultural climate that not only allows, but encourages, discrimination against secular employees at work.
As incidents of religiously-sanctioned discrimination are likely to rise, the AHLC is prepared to support humanists, atheists, agnostics and others interested in maintaining their rights to their freedom of conscience.
But how can someone tell if what they have experienced qualifies as discrimination?
Incidents of discrimination against secular folks in the workplace could include, but are not limited to:
Being required or feeling pressured to participate in prayer, Bible study, or other religious activities while at work.
Enduring mandatory exposure to religious music, sermons or other religious messaging during the workday.
Facing retaliation after disclosing your nontheistic beliefs. Retaliation can take many forms, but include:
Verbal harassment and unwanted, persistent proselytizing
Termination
Being put on an unexplained probation or performance improvement plan (PIP)
Being assigned fewer shifts
Being passed up for work opportunities and promotions
Loss of or sudden difficulty in obtaining employee benefits
Employer favoritism toward religious employees in promotions, assignments, scheduling or benefits.
Being denied reasonable accommodations for opting out of religious observances or for attending nontheistic celebrations.
Experiencing a hostile work environment created by proselytizing, religious posters, or pressure from supervisors or peers.
If you have experienced any of these incidents at work, you’re not alone. The AHLC is prepared to discuss your options with you. Please note that the examples above are not exhaustive, and our legal team is happy to discuss your unique situation with you to see if discrimination may have occurred. You can email us directly at legal@americanhumanist.org.
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