Sabbath and Other Religious Observances Cases
Ansonia Board of Education v. Philbrook (1986) dealt with religious
accommodation and the First Amendment in considering a teacher’s request
for time off for holy days.
Frazee v. Illinois Department of Employment Security (1989) said belief
need not be part of established religious doctrine to be considered under
the First Amendment.
Groff v. Dejoy, 600 U.S. ____ (2023) is an example of a case in which the U.S. Supreme Court clarified an earlier decision that had been commonly employed in ascertaining the degree to which employers had to accommodate the religious faith of workers under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which had
Hobbie v. Unemployment Appeals Commission of Florida (1987) said denying
benefits to an individual who refused to work on the Sabbath violated the
First Amendment.
Phillips et al. v. Gratz (1831) ruled that a Jewish man had to attend trial
on the Sabbath. The decision was issued before the application of the First
Amendment to the states.
Sherbert v. Verner (1963) said that denying unemployment benefits to an
applicant who refused to work on Saturday, her Sabbath, violated First
Amendment rights.
Thomas v. Review Board of Indiana Employment Security Division (1981) ruled
that states could not deny unemployment benefits for quitting his job due
to a religious objection.
Thornton v. Caldor (1985) found a state law that gave employees an absolute
right not to work on their chosen Sabbath violated the establishment clause
of the First Amendment.
Trans World Airlines v. Hardison (1977) dealt with accommodations that
private employers were required to make for employees whose religious views
limit their work on the Sabbath.
