TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt spent the day sending a warning to some employers after a new state law took effect Tuesday.
The law, that was passed during a special session earlier in the week, prevents employers from asking an employee about religious beliefs when the employee claims a religious waiver from a COVID-19 requirement.
The Kansas Attorney General’s office confirmed that Schmidt spent Wednesday contacting employers that he believes may be in violation of the new law. Schmidt advised each employer that they must immediately cease and desist the questioning and grant all employee requests for the religious waivers, no questions asked.
Schmidt also asked all employees to review and update procedures for granting employee waivers.
The AG said that he knows of some employers that have required employees who claim a religious waiver to complete detailed questionnaires about their beliefs. Some public employers have established review committees to evaluate the questionnaires and determine if the request for a waiver is sincere.
“In Kansas, an employee’s religious faith may not be put on trial in order to obtain the waiver to which the employee is entitled by law,” Schmidt said. “It is particularly distressing when a public-sector employer – an agent of the government – sits in judgment of the sincerity of an employee’s religious faith. Under the new law now in effect, that is not only distressing, it is also illegal.”
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