1. Discuss the establishment clause. 2. Discuss how employers must reasonably accommodate employees’

Unit 1 Discussion Freedom of Religion

 Meet the Cardigans

Throughout this course, you will become familiar with various business

happenings and transactions involving the Cardigan family. Each Discussion

Board topic, as well as the Assignments, will help you with structuring your

understanding of business law.

The Cardigan family has made a name for themselves in the sweater industry by

designing sweaters for a variety of uses and for a wide target audience ranging

from toddlers to business professionals. Cassandra, whom everyone calls

Cassie, is the CEO of CARDWARE Inc., Camoni is the spokesperson for the

sweater line, and Candie models the lines in the professional sphere. They often

use their mother, Camille, as a business consultant for input about various new

ideas and marketing because she was the manager of her son’s glove company.

Cora and Caley, Camille’s two youngest daughters from her second failed

marriage to Bo Jenkins, are co-office managers of their headquarters located in

Silkadonia.

The Cardigans are an equal opportunity employer. Gabbie has been hired to

answer phones for CARDWARE between the hours of eight and noon daily with

a 1-hour lunch break followed by reception work from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. At

the time of hire, Gabbie was informed of the hours and the importance of being

available to answer calls promptly. Additionally, she was told that there is a high

volume of calls in CARDWARE. As such, it is essential that Gabbie make sure

that if she is ill or has a vacation day, she give CARDWARE reasonable notice so

that a suitable substitute could help answer the telephone and take messages.

One Monday morning, Gabbie announced that she was now a member of the

New Freedom Ocean Peace Church. Further, that she would need to have an

hour off twice a week to observe her new found religious practices of going to the

beach and meditating and praying. She also indicated on the day of her

announcement that she is very excited and will be observing her first religious

requirement that day. Cora reminds Gabbie of the terms of Gabbie’s employment

and tells her that CARDWARE will not be able to provide accommodation for

Gabbie’s religious activity. Discuss whether or not CARDWARE is obligated

under the First Amendment to provide reasonable accommodation or not. Be

sure to provide an engaging and substantive response indicating your

understanding of her constitutional right to the free exercise of her religion. Do

you agree? Why or why not?

Justify your answer using information from your Reading in Chapter 1. In your

response, be sure to:

1. Discuss the establishment clause.

2. Discuss how employers must reasonably accommodate employees’

religious beliefs.