Does an Employer Violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 By Disciplining an Evangelical Christian Employee for Failing to Work on Assigned Sunday Shifts When the Employee's Failure Created at Least a De Minimus Burden on the Employee's Coworkers?

Gerald Groff served as a rural carrier associate in the United States Postal Service. In this role, Groff was a noncareer employee who provided coverage for absent career employees. When the Postal Service started Sunday deliveries pursuant to an agreement with Amazon, Groff, a self-described evangelical Christian, refused Sunday shifts, citing his religious belief that Sundays were reserved for worship and rest. The Postal Service attempted to schedule around Groff’s Sunday absences, but this created tension with Groff’s coworkers and extra work for the postmaster. Ultimately, the Postal Service disciplined Groff for missing scheduled Sunday shifts. Groff sued, arguing that the Postal Service discriminated against him because of his religion in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]