By BENJAMIN BACA
Los Alamos

When I received the memorandum mandating leave for religious exemptions, I was disheartened and, frankly, nauseated.

In an environment where work-from-home is maximized, and people have successfully been working from home for this length of time, it is unnecessary to force those so exempted into leave without pay status or to burn hard-earned benefits.

It is technologically feasible for much of the workforce to work from home, and there is no business, ethical, or moral case to support this decision as it is written today.

While I do not know your heart or motives of the decision makers, and only can assume the best, this affront to religious freedom has no place in an equal opportunity employer, free from discrimination. This has not been an easy decision for many, and it has been reduced to a black and white issue.

I’m certain the decision to do this has been run through multiple legal filters, including the corporate legal counsel. However, just because an action is potentially lawful or defensible does not make it the best course.

I am fully vaccinated, and I made that decision at a time when there was some semblance of choice.  Since I began my career, I have received a consistent message to watch out for my coworkers. These coworkers are friends and family, and they are being forced to choose between their convictions and their income.

The director of this institution is in a unique position to lead us to better options.