The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously sided with Gerald Groff, a former postal worker who said he was forced to work Sundays despite his religious observance. The Court ruled that employers must provide accommodations unless they would cause “substantial increased costs,” replacing the previous 1977 standard that allowed denial for even minimal burdens.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the Civil Rights Act requires genuine respect for religious practices, not just token efforts. While religious advocates celebrated the change, labor unions warned it could strain workplaces by shifting burdens to other employees and complicating scheduling fairness.

The ruling is expected to reshape workplace policies nationwide, strengthening protections for people of faith. For Groff, it marks personal vindication and a broader message that employees should not have to choose between their beliefs and their jobs.