As AFN has reported, Gerald Groff says he was forced to quit his job because of his religious beliefs. He initially applied to be a postal worker because the U.S. Post Office was closed on Sundays, and he wanted to be free to observe the Sabbath.
When the postal service began delivering packages on Sundays for Amazon, he initially received a religious accommodation to continue having Sundays off work. To make up for it, he agreed to work extra shifts during the week and even switched posts and accepted a lower position to be able to abide by his faith. But the USPS changed its position and pulled the accommodation.
Groff is being represented by First Liberty Institute in his case.
"This case is so important because it has the potential to impact and protect employees of faith across the country," says attorney Stephanie Taub.
She notes that religious employees often seek reasonable accommodations in order to have equal opportunities in the workplace.
"Otherwise, they could be barred from entire industries," the attorney continues. "So, the federal civil law requires employers to grant meaningful religious accommodations for people of faith, but they don't always live up to that promise."
First Liberty hopes the Supreme Court will "apply the law as written" and require employers, public or private, to grant these "reasonable religious accommodations."
