Supreme Court Rules Unanimously in Major Religious Freedom Case
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has strengthened protections for employees seeking religious accommodations. The ruling came from a case involving Gerald Groff, a Christian postal worker who objected to working on his Sabbath.
Groff had argued that the U.S. Postal Service violated his rights by requiring him to deliver packages on Sundays. His legal challenge sought to overturn a long-standing precedent that made it easier for employers to deny such requests.
The Court overturned a 1977 standard that allowed employers to reject accommodations that imposed “more than a de minimis cost.” The justices found this threshold was too low and did not provide adequate protection.
The new ruling states that an employer must now show that a religious accommodation would cause “substantial increased costs” or an “undue hardship” to be exempt from providing it. This aligns the standard more closely with other anti-discrimination laws.
The decision was celebrated by religious freedom advocates. Groff, who left his job over the conflict, stated that no American should have to choose between their faith and their career.
However, some groups, including postal unions, expressed concern. They argued that accommodating religious days off can place a heavier burden on co-workers who must cover the shifts.
This landmark ruling is expected to have wide-reaching effects, requiring employers across the nation to more seriously consider requests for religious accommodations related to schedules, dress codes, and other practices.
