ADF secures settlement for Christian fired for requesting Sundays off

TULSA, Okla. — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund finalized a settlement agreement Friday on behalf of a Christian fired from his job simply because he requested not to work on Sundays.

“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for abiding by their beliefs, nor should they be forced to choose between their career and their faith,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot. “Federal law requires that employers reasonably accommodate employees with sincerely-held religious beliefs.”

In 2005, Paul Royse, a police officer with the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, requested that he not be scheduled to work on Sundays so that he could attend church services.  The previous head of security accommodated Royse’s request by scheduling Royse for a night shift, allowing him to attend his Sunday services.  However, the new head of security did not grant Royse’s written request, treating it instead as an unrescindable letter of resignation, even though other employees were available to work on Sundays.

ADF attorneys filed suit on behalf of Royse in February 2007.  As a result of the settlement agreement, Royse has been paid back wages and his employment status has been changed from “not eligible for re-hire” to “eligible for re-hire.” Royse did not attempt to regain his job because he has since found a position with a different employer.  As a result of the settlement, ADF attorneys filed a motion with the court to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit.

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.  Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.