LANCASTER, Pa. – A former Pennsylvania mail carrier accused the United States Postal Service of violating his rights by requiring him to work Sundays.
Gerald Groff, an evangelical Christian, filed a lawsuit Friday against the federal agency, claiming he was let go from his position after refusing to work Sundays for religious reasons.
The federal lawsuit claimed Groff worked “flexibly” to accommodate his convictions of not working on Sundays by offering to pick up holiday, evening and Saturday hours that others did not want to work.
Groff, who worked for the USPS for seven years, said the agency began enforcing a no-exceptions Sunday policy on him and “needlessly disciplined him,” according to a statement released by his defense on Monday. The disciplinary methods included suspensions as long as two weeks.
The statement said he was eventually let go from his position.
“In a free and respectful society, government should recognize those differences among us that make us great, rather than punishing those differences, particularly when those differences result from our sincerely held religious beliefs,” said David Crossett, one of the attorneys representing Groff.
A USPS spokeswoman told Lancaster Online on Monday that the agency does not generally comment on pending litigation.
The lawsuit is seeking reinstatement of Groff’s position with accommodation, back pay and unspecified compensation for emotional distress. The complaint also requests for the agency to create policies that provide equal employment opportunities for religious observance of Sabbath on Sundays.
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