In a rare 9–0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has completely rewritten the rules for how employers handle religious requests. The justices sided with Gerald Groff, a Pennsylvania mail carrier who quit after being forced to work Sundays, ruling that the Postal Service violated his rights under federal law.
The Court struck down a decades-old standard that let companies deny faith-based accommodations over “minimal” costs. Now, employers must prove a request creates a substantial burden before saying no — a shift that could transform workplaces across America. Justice Samuel Alito called it a reaffirmation that religious observance deserves real respect, not token tolerance. Supporters hailed it as a major victory for people of faith, while unions warned it could spark scheduling conflicts. For Groff, it was personal redemption — and a message to millions: your beliefs no longer stop at the office door.
