In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled unanimously in favor of a Pennsylvania postal worker, marking a major shift in how employers must handle requests for religious accommodations. The case involved Gerald Groff, a Christian mail carrier who said the U.S. Postal Service violated his rights by requiring him to deliver packages on Sundays, a day he observes as the Sabbath.
For nearly five decades, employers relied on a 1977 Supreme Court precedent, Trans World Airlines v. Hardison, which allowed businesses to deny religious accommodations if they created more than a “de minimis” cost. In a 9-0 decision, the justices agreed that this standard set the bar far too low. The Court clarified that employers must provide accommodations unless doing so would result in “substantial increased costs” or an undue hardship on the business.
Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the Court, explained that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires a fair balance between respecting employees’ faith and maintaining workplace operations. The decision brings the standard for religious accommodations closer to other federal protections, such as those under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ruling is being praised by religious liberty advocates, who say it strengthens protection for people of faith in the workplace.
However, some unions expressed concern that it could create scheduling challenges for other employees who must cover shifts when coworkers are excused for religious reasons. Legal experts believe the decision will have far-reaching consequences, forcing employers nationwide to take requests for religious accommodations more seriously and to prove genuine hardship before denying them. Gerald Groff, who resigned after years of conflict over Sunday work, called the ruling a victory for religious freedom. “No one should have to choose between their job and their faith,” he said, expressing gratitude that his case helped clarify the law for millions of American workers.
