A former postal worker who has sued the U.S. Postal Service for forcing him to work on Sundays despite his religious beliefs has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. First Liberty Institute, Baker Botts LLP, the Church State Council, and the Independence Law Center filed the appeal Tuesday on behalf of Gerald Groff of Pennsylvania. The appeal cited federal civil rights law, namely Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating based on religious belief. "In affirming summary judgment for USPS, the court of appeals held that an employer may establish undue hardship merely by showing that an accommodation burdens or inconveniences the plaintiff’s co-workers," reads the appeal. "Because religious expression is a vital part of ‘a pluralistic society,’ it should be met with tolerance and accommodation, not silenced by a ‘heckler’s veto.’" Stephanie Taub, senior counsel at First Liberty, said in a statement that she believes no one "should be forced to choose between their religion and their job." "We are asking the Court to overturn a poorly-reasoned case from the 1970s that tips the balance in favor of corporations and the government over the religious rights of employees," she stated. An […]
