Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday applauded the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in favor of a postal worker who was fired for refusing to work on Sunday.

Former Pennsylvania postal worker Gerald Groff brought the lawsuit against the United States Postal Service (USPS) after it failed to accommodate his Christian belief that Sundays are a time of worship and rest.

Groff claimed the USPS failed to provide reasonable accommodations for his religious beliefs since he received disciplinary actions for refusing to work on Sundays.

A lower federal court upheld that Groff's request would cause undue hardship on the USPS and damage workplace morale for those having to pick up Groff's shifts. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the court's ruling in May 2022.

On Thursday, the SCOTUS unanimously denied the lower court's assertion that Groff's request created undue hardship on the USPS.

SCOTUS's decision asserted that any alleged "undue burden" must be less than a minimal burden, and the USPS's claim that Groff's request created undue hardship could not be substantiated.

Ivey praised the decision, calling it a "victory for Alabama."

"Today's unanimous decision from #SCOTUS reaffirms what we've always believed here in Alabama; that religious liberty is at the core of our country's way of life, and government should never interfere with citizens' desire to worship," Ivey tweeted. "This decision is a victory for America."

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.

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