The landmark case was 46 years ago.
The Supreme Court has agreed to review a 1977 decision on religious accommodation. Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act bars hiring discrimination based on religion. An amendment in 1972, using language from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations, codified the meaning of “religious accommodation.”
The Supreme Court ruled, in the decision 46 years ago, that an employer does not have to adjust operations for an employee who uses his religion to request specific days when he would not work if the adjustment would cost the company even a minimal amount.
The case to be taken up by the Supreme Court involves a postal worker who is challenging the USPS over its requirement that he work on a Sunday, which would be an infraction of his religious beliefs. He said the Postal Service did not do enough to accommodate his religious request. The lower court’s ruling said employers are not required to grant an accommodation if even a minimal burden would be imposed on it.
Oral arguments are scheduled for April 18.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For discernment for the justices of the Supreme Court as they prepare to hear the case on religious discrimination.
- For U.S. governing officials to protect the right to the free exercise of religion.
- For wisdom for Postmaster DeJoy and USPS officials as they consider requests for religious accommodation.
Sources: Washington Times, NBC News
