Source: Sikh News Network
On December 12, 2005 the Sikh News Network reported, "Sikhs and other religious groups are pushing Congress to pass legislation that would protect [them] from being forced to choose between a job and their beliefs. Last month the House Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations held a briefing on the Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2005 (WRFA). This legislation would provide greater protection against discrimination for people of faith. WRFA will require employers to reasonably accommodate the religious needs of their employees in the workplace. Typical examples covered by WRFA include allowing for religious clothing (such as turbans, yarmulkes, and head-scarves) and for flexible scheduling arrangements to facilitate holiday observances... The hearing was preceded by a press conference organized by the Work Place Religious Freedom Coalition, of which SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) is an active member. Saldef has been working for the passage of the legislation since its inception."