Cranford, NJ — American Atheists warned incoming Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Don Huffines, that it would take action if he followed through on his pledge to dismiss employees that he determined not to be sufficiently Christian. Huffines, who will take office in August, made the pledge during a meeting with the office’s career senior staff. According to reports, Huffines also informed his soon-to-be employees that his top three priorities would be “Jesus, family, and work.”
Religious discrimination in the workplace is not only illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but also violates the constitutions of both the United States and the state of Texas. Both documents govern Huffines’ conduct while in office and both prohibit imposing religious tests on public offices.
“Employers are rarely as brazen as Mr. Huffines when they engage in religious discrimination,” said American Atheists’ Legal Director, Geoffrey T. Blackwell. “Usually this kind of discrimination is more subtle so it helps when they say quiet part out loud.”
American Atheists’ warned Huffines in the letter that it would take action to defend the rights of any nonreligious employees let go from the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts. Any employees of the Texas comptroller who are impacted by Huffines’ religious discrimination are encouraged to contact American Atheists for assistance.
