U.S. Supreme Court allows religious rituals in workplace

Experts say court’s decision is victory for religious freedom and will help ensure workers are not discriminated against because of their faith

WASHINGTON – In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right of employees to perform religious rituals in the workplace.

It requires employers to accommodate employees’ religious practices unless doing so results in significant additional costs.

The court reversed a lower court’s decision that had allowed the U.S. Postal Service to deny a letter carrier a religious permit.

The employee, Gerald Groff, wanted to keep the Sabbath on Sundays.

He argued that he was forced to choose between his faith and his job.

Experts say the court’s decision is a victory for religious freedom and will help ensure that workers are not discriminated against because of their faith.

The ruling, written by Justice Samuel Alito Jr. states that if an employer refuses, it must prove that it would result in significant additional costs.

Attorney Aaron Street, who represented Groff’s lawsuit, said this ruling is consistent with the American history of recognizing religious pluralism.

He said it protects workers from being treated differently in the workplace simply because of their faith.