In Rhode Island and throughout the country, some religious people who are concerned about their rights being protected are often fearful that they will face negative consequences on the job. This is true regardless of their beliefs and the requirements related to them. When a person alleges they were not granted religious accommodations, they need to know their rights.
Supreme Court ruling
A recent case that pitted the U.S. Postal Service against an employee who sought religious accommodations for the Sabbath was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in the worker’s favor. The worker had requested that he have Sundays off because of his faith, but the USPS responded that it would place too high a burden on his colleagues.
According to the Supreme Court, the accommodation would not lead to a major increase in costs, therefore it could not deny the request. The USPS did try to adjust his schedule accordingly, but it stated it negatively impacted other workers. Eventually, after missing shifts and being disciplined, the worker quit and filed a legal claim.
Despite Title VII of the Civil Rights Act designed to shield workers from discrimination of this kind, many employers will still try to compel employees to violate the tenets of their religion and discipline them if they refuse. For people who are dedicated to their beliefs, this can be problematic as they are confronted with the choice of keeping their job or following their religion.
The Supreme Court’s decision should be understood by people of all ages who are worried as to how employment law interpretation will affect them and what the employer can and cannot do.
Workers are entitled to protection for their religious beliefs
People can be torn between work and adhering to their religious beliefs. There does not need to be a disconnect between the two as workers are entitled to specific protections emphasized in this Supreme Court decision. Before simply accepting apparent discriminatory behavior or leaving the job, it is essential to know the available options for protecting worker rights.