Doubletake: Fighting for Sabbath Rest

The World and Everything In It podcast, produced by WORLD Radio, delivers a compelling and in-depth exploration of Gerald Groff’s legal battle to observe his Sabbath while fulfilling his duties as a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier. Hosted by Jenny Ruff, this episode titled "Doubletake: Fighting for Sabbath Rest," released on February 8, 2025, delves into the intersection of faith, employment law, and the evolving demands of modern commerce.

Introduction to Gerald Groff’s Dilemma

The episode opens with Les Sillers introducing the central figure of the story, Gerald Groff, a USPS mail carrier whose commitment to observing Sunday as his Sabbath has put him at odds with his employer following USPS’s partnership with Amazon to provide Sunday deliveries.

Notable Quote:

Les Sillers [00:02]: "When Gerald Groff took his job at the Post office in 2012, keeping the Sabbath wasn't an issue. USPS didn't deliver on Sundays."

The Rise of Sunday Deliveries

Jenny Ruff provides a backdrop of Amazon’s exponential growth and its impact on delivery services, highlighting how USPS’s agreement with Amazon to offer Sunday deliveries created unforeseen conflicts for employees like Groff who observe Sunday as a day of rest.

Notable Quote:

Jenny Ruff [02:50]: "Delivery by tomorrow. That and about 1.6 million other packages by tomorrow. A typical day for Amazon, even on a Sunday."

Gerald Groff’s Commitment to Sabbath

Gerald Groff shares his deep-rooted faith and the significance of the Sabbath in his life. Raised in a Mennonite community, Groff describes Sunday worship as essential for honoring God and maintaining his spiritual well-being.

Notable Quote:

Gerald Groff [03:44]: "The Lord's day is saying, I'm taking a breath, taking a beat from regular life and saying, this day I'm setting aside for God... a day of rest."

The Legal Battle Before the Supreme Court

As USPS began Sunday deliveries, Groff requested accommodations to keep Sundays free of work. When denied, he filed a lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alleging religious discrimination. The case escalated to the United States Supreme Court, where attorneys debated the interpretation of "undue hardship."

Notable Quotes:

Aaron Street [05:15]: "Employees should not be forced to choose between their faith and their job."

Elizabeth Prelogger [05:36]: "Exempting him from work each and every Sunday would have violated his co-workers' contractual rights at the Post Office."

Understanding Title VII and Religious Accommodations

Employment law attorney Mark Chumley breaks down Title VII, explaining how it protects employees from religious discrimination by requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations unless it causes undue hardship.

Notable Quotes:

Mark Chumley [10:47]: "Title VII protects employees from discrimination based on any religion."

Mark Chumley [11:16]: "Religion includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief."

Defining "Undue Hardship"

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the legal definitions surrounding "undue hardship." Historically, the Supreme Court’s 1977 TWA v. Hardison decision set a low bar for what constitutes undue hardship, essentially any burden beyond a trivial or minimal one. However, Groff’s legal team argues for a stricter interpretation akin to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires a significant difficulty or expense.

Notable Quotes:

Aaron Street [24:52]: "Hardison's de minimis test makes a mockery of the English language."

Elizabeth Prelogger [28:58]: "Our basic pitch here is that this is a context-based inquiry that necessarily requires the application of a standard like that to a particular fact pattern."

Personal Insights and Community Impact

Interviews with individuals like Travis Washington, an Amazon delivery worker, and Dan, a Messianic Jew from Israel, provide diverse perspectives on the importance of Sabbath and the broader societal implications of Sunday deliveries. Groff’s personal history, including the tragic death of his grandfather and his own deep faith, adds a human dimension to the legal narrative.

Notable Quotes:

Dan [17:26]: "He provides your livelihood. I will provide, trust me, every day you will have exactly what you need."

Travis Washington [14:45]: "Do you think we should get a day off?"

Supreme Court’s Decision and Its Aftermath

The Supreme Court, led by Justice Neil Gorsuch, vacated the lower court’s decision, rejecting the Low standard of undue hardship and leaning towards a more substantial interpretation. However, this nuanced decision left Groff’s case unresolved, sending it back for further examination under the clarified standard.

Notable Quotes:

Jenny Ruff [30:34]: "The court said lower courts were wrong to take the de minimis language in the Hardison case as authoritative."

Randall Wenger [31:26]: "We were perfectly happy with a substantial increased cost test."

Broader Implications for Religious Liberty in the Workplace

The episode concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of the case for religious liberty in the workplace. With over 100 similar cases influenced by this decision, the legal landscape for religious accommodations is shifting. Groff’s attorneys express hope that the decision paves the way for fairer treatment of employees seeking to honor their faith without sacrificing their livelihoods.

Notable Quotes:

Randall Wenger [32:35]: "This is what America should be, that we respect each other enough to let each other carry out our religious conscience, our duties before God."

Aaron Street [33:38]: "American culture and history traditionally had a very strong Sabbath tradition."

Conclusion

Jenny Ruff wraps up the episode by emphasizing the ongoing nature of Groff’s fight for religious accommodation and the evolving standards that will shape future cases. The story of Gerald Groff serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between personal faith and professional obligations in a rapidly changing world.

Notable Quote:

Jenny Ruff [34:42]: "Our life, our money, our work, and perhaps our ultimate job is to be a good steward of the gifts God has given us."

Key Takeaways

• Gerald Groff’s Case: A mail carrier’s refusal to work Sundays based on religious convictions sparked a significant legal battle over religious accommodations in the workplace.

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act: Protects employees from religious discrimination, requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations unless they cause undue hardship.

• Legal Standards for Undue Hardship: The Supreme Court’s clarification moves towards a more substantial definition, potentially impacting numerous future cases.

• Impact on Employment and Society: Balancing business efficiency with individual religious freedoms remains a contentious and evolving issue.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Les Sillers [00:02]: "When Gerald Groff took his job at the Post office in 2012, keeping the Sabbath wasn't an issue."

• Gerald Groff [03:44]: "The Lord's day is saying, I'm taking a breath... a day of rest."

• Aaron Street [05:15]: "Employees should not be forced to choose between their faith and their job."

• Mark Chumley [10:47]: "Title VII protects employees from discrimination based on any religion."

• Aaron Street [24:52]: "Hardison's de minimis test makes a mockery of the English language."

• Randall Wenger [32:35]: "This is what America should be, that we respect each other enough to let each other carry out our religious conscience."

• Jenny Ruff [34:42]: "Our life, our money, our work, and perhaps our ultimate job is to be a good steward of the gifts God has given us."

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting the critical legal, personal, and societal dimensions of Gerald Groff’s quest to uphold his Sabbath observance amidst professional challenges.