In a unanimous 9-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gerald Groff, a Pennsylvania postal worker who said the U.S. Postal Service violated his religious rights by forcing him to work Sundays. The Court declared that employers must now provide religious accommodations unless they can prove such requests cause “substantial increased costs” or an undue hardship.
The decision overturns the long-standing 1977 Trans World Airlines v. Hardison precedent, which allowed employers to deny requests that caused even minimal inconvenience. Justice Samuel Alito wrote that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act requires workplaces to “respect workers’ religious practices while maintaining fairness.”
Religious liberty advocates called the ruling “a victory for people of faith,” saying it strengthens protections for employees. Labor unions, however, warned it could complicate scheduling and create tension among workers.
Legal experts believe this decision will “reshape workplace policies nationwide,” forcing companies to take religious requests more seriously.
For Groff, who resigned after repeated conflicts over Sunday shifts, the ruling is deeply personal. He expressed gratitude that his case “will help ensure others do not face the same dilemma,” marking a significant moment for religious freedom in the American workplace.
