Supreme Court Rules Unanimously in Major Religious Freedom Case

In a landmark ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Pennsylvania postal worker Gerald Groff in a case that could redefine how employers handle religious accommodations in the workplace.

Groff, a Christian mail carrier, argued that the U.S. Postal Service violated his rights by requiring him to deliver Amazon packages on Sundays, which he observes as the Sabbath. Represented by attorney Aaron Streett, he asked the Court to overturn a decades-old precedent that allowed employers to more easily deny such requests.

For nearly 50 years, businesses relied on the 1977 Trans World Airlines v. Hardison decision, which permitted employers to reject religious accommodations if they caused “more than a de minimis cost.”

In a rare unanimous 9-0 decision, the Court sided with Groff, ruling that employers must provide accommodations unless doing so causes “substantial increased costs” or an undue hardship. Justice Samuel Alito wrote that trivial burdens cannot justify denying religious practice and emphasized balance between faith and workplace efficiency.

The ruling has raised concerns among postal unions and co-workers. The American Postal Workers Union warned that accommodating religious requests could shift additional work to other employees, noting that days off are valued by both religious and non-religious workers.

Experts say the decision could have broad implications, affecting workplace schedules, dress codes, and other accommodations. Supporters praise it for strengthening religious freedom, while critics worry about potential workplace tension.

Groff, who resigned after years of conflict over Sunday work, said he felt vindicated. “No American should have to sacrifice their faith in order to keep their job,” he stated. The ruling is seen as a major victory for religious liberty and establishes a new standard for what constitutes an undue hardship for employers.