Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
DEI Threat Protocol
What to do if your conscience rights are challenged?
Some options include, per ADF’s “A Legal Guide for Healthcare Professionals”:
- Discuss the conflict with employer or the regulating body. Frame it is as a request for a religious accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which requires employers to reasonably accommodate employees’ religious beliefs at work. Offer your employer a solution to the conflict.
- In consultation with legal counsel, which should be engaged at the first indication you are under review, send a letter asking for your rights to be respected.
- Consider defending your legal rights in court. Federal and state laws and regulations may apply to varying degrees.
- Use existing complaint procedures allowing you to file with the right government entity.
- 1-800-TELL-ADF or ADFlegal.org.
Freedom2Care at www.freedom2care.org
- Legal Help: https://www.freedom2care.org/legal-help
- US Department of Health & Human Services: How to File a Conscience or Religious Freedom Complaint https://www.hhs.gov/conscience/complaints/filing-a-complaint/index.html.
Liberty Counsel: https://lc.org/legal-help, complete the form, then e-mail rmast@lc.org.
If the organization is a Christian ministry, consider joining the ADF ministry alliance (adfministryalliance.org) which provides an initial review of documents to ensure that they offer strong first amendment protection; ongoing access for consultation; and representation if the organization is legally attacked within the issue areas ADF covers.
Pre-emptive interaction. Provide an alternative to the “DEI” training the organization is issuing. ADF has developed some resources to assist at “Viewpoint Diversity Score” https://viewpointdiversityscore.org/resources. These policies/resources are designed to advocate for and protect viewpoint diversity (which respects everyone’s rights) rather than elevating certain characteristics/beliefs over others.