Why would a giant like Amazon refuse to grant an employee’s reasonable religious accommodation request?
According to First Liberty Institute, which represents the Roman Catholic employee, Amazon did not want to open the floodgates. If they grant one, the company will have to grant all. But if they don’t allow religious accommodations, employees may sue.
Connor Dorsey, a shipping manager, tried to switch to a shift that would allow him to work weekdays only so that he could attend Mass on Saturdays and fulfill observances on Sundays. From First Liberty (emphasis added):
He was denied the option to switch to an open position that would allow him to attend weekly Mass. He was told, “If we set that precedent [granting accommodations], then we’ll have to grant those requests any time we receive them.”
Didn’t Amazon realize this would trigger legal liability? They know it now.
First Liberty sent Amazon a demand letter reminding (informing?) the company that federal law protects Dorsey’s religious rights.
“Additionally, the Fifth Circuit has long held that failure to fully accommodate an employee’s religious observance, absent a showing of undue hardship, violates Title VII.”
Amazon has until the end of business on April 15, 2026, to respond to the letter.
Photo credit: By Matti Blume – Own work, CC BY-SA, link
“If we set that precedent [granting accommodations], then we’ll have to grant those requests any time we receive them.” And so they should!! One more reason NOT to buy from Amazon.