Eight firefighters in Washington State were put on unpaid leave
when they asked for a religious accommodation. Now, they’re
asking the U.S. Supreme Court to make it clear that no American
should be forced to choose between their faith and their job.
When Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all employees, it also put in place a religious exemption process. Eight firefighters requested that exemption. But the fire department denied their requests—claiming that allowing the firefighters to work unvaccinated would pose a “hardship.” The firefighters were put on leave for eight months.
Faced with indefinite unpaid leave, they found work with neighboring fire departments in and outside their county. These departments had no issue accommodating them. Eventually, the Snohomish fire chief decided to bring the firefighters back to work, still unvaccinated. They resumed their jobs without causing any difficulties or added expenses.
That leaves little doubt that the fire department could have easily accommodated our clients. Instead, it chose to violate their rights under the law and punish them for their religious beliefs.
First Liberty has proven that we can fight and win
for religious freedom at the highest court in the land.
Through multiple landmark Supreme Court cases, we have
set historic legal precedent that protect all people of faith.
Learn more about the victories that are restoring religious liberty for generations to come!
– First Liberty Senior Counsel, Cliff Martin
The firefighters were put on leave even though they submitted to various risk mitigation measures, including masking, testing, and social distancing. What’s more, their employer contracted with other departments that did not require vaccination. In other words, firefighters at SRFR were already serving alongside unvaccinated members of other departments.
The double standard is clear. The fire department targeted our clients for their faith and convictions, ignoring what the law requires, which is to treat religious employees fairly.
Winning this case would right the wrongs done to our clients. Plus, a victory would impact religious employees nationwide, ensuring they are given equal opportunity and fair treatment in the workplace.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Groff v. DeJoy that employees must be granted a religious accommodation unless the employer faces “substantial increased cost,” a standard that the fire department cannot meet in this case. Denying a religious accommodation request because of trivial reasons ended with the unanimous decision in Groff.
The firefighters went to court to plead their case. But the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against them and misapplied the religious accommodation standard that the U.S. Supreme Court set in Groff.
Now, First Liberty is asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the lower court’s ruling and clarify what the standard actually is. What’s more, we’re asking the Supreme Court to allow our client’s case to be heard by a jury so they can seek damages for the time they were unpaid.
Firefighting is a demanding profession. These courageous public servants work around the clock, often putting their health and lives on the line to keep us safe.
We should be encouraging qualified and experienced people to remain a part of the firefighter force, not punishing them because of their faith.
Americans should not have to choose between their faith and their livelihood. Our first responders deserve better than the treatment the Snohomish Eight have received.
Will you take a stand and help protect our first responders?
Across America, religious expression in the workplace is being challenged in courts, communities, and public policy.
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