Legal Document

479 U.S. 60 107 S.Ct. 367 93 L.Ed.2d 305 ANSONIA BOARD OF EDUCATION, et al., Petitionersv.Ronald PHILBROOK al. No. 85-495. Argued Oct. 14, 1986. Decided Nov. 17, Syllabus Respondent Philbrook (hereafter respondent), a teacher employed by petitioner school board (Board), is member of church whose tenets require members to refrain from secular employment during designated holy days, practice that has caused respondent miss approximately six schooldays each year. Under pertinent collective-bargaining agreements between the Board and teachers' union, teachers were granted three days' annual leave for observance religious holidays, but could not use any accumulated sick leave, days which otherwise available "necessary personal business." Pursuant agreements, used holidays year, then either took unauthorized unpaid scheduled required hospital visits on or worked those days. repeatedly asked adopt policy allowing business or, in alternative, allow him pay cost substitute receive full additional off observances. The consistently rejected both proposals, ultimately filed suit Federal District Court, alleging had violated prohibition against discrimination under Title VII Civil Rights Act 1964, particularly Board's obligation § 701(j) "reasonably accommodate an employee's . without undue hardship conduct employer's After trial, Court concluded failed prove case because he been placed position violating his religion losing job. Appeals reversed remanded, holding established prima facie discrimination. court assumed constituted reasonable accommodation respondent's belief, held where employer employee propose accommodation, requires accept proposal unless causes business. was remanded consideration would result suggestions. Held: 1. This presents no issue requires, purposes claims, establishing proof scheme delineating plaintiff's shifting production burdens. ultimate question vel non directly before persuade dismiss action want case, fully tried merits. Thus, whether made out longer relevant. Cf. United States Postal Service Governors v. Aikens, 460 711, 103 1478, 75 403. Pp. 67-68. 2. Neither terms nor legislative history supports Appeals' conclusion includes duty An met its when it demonstrates offered employee. need further show alternative accommodations hardship. extent at only claims unable offer such 68-69. 3. Because courts below applied erroneous view law, neither explicitly considered beliefs. There are insufficient factual findings as manner have interpreted order this make judgment initially. On remand should necessary past existing administration agreements. 70-71. 757 F.2d 476, affirmed remanded. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion BRENNAN, WHITE, BLACKMUN, POWELL, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. MARSHALL, J., post, p. 71, STEVENS, 75, opinions concurring part dissenting part. Thomas N. Sullivan, Hartford, Conn., petitioners. Robert F. McWeeny, respondent, Ansonia Federation Teachers, support petitioners, special Leave Court. David Rosen, New Haven, respondents. Sol. Gen. Charles Fried, E.E.O.C., amici curiae, respondents, Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 Petitioner Education Ronald since 1962 teach high typing classes Ansonia, Connecticut. In 1968, baptized into Worldwide Church God. We determine efforts adjust work schedule light beliefs fulfill 86 Stat. 103, 42 U.S.C. 2000e(j), business."1 2 Since 1967-1968 board's with Teachers 18 per year illness, cumulative 150 later 180 Accumulated may be other than illness specified agreement. A accordingly five death immediate family, one day attendance wedding, official delegate national veterans organization, like. See, e.g., App. 98-99. With exception agreement covering contract specifically provided mandatory defined contract. Unlike categories permitted, absences charged teacher's leave. 3 also agreed up Recent contracts limited permissible uses limitation dictated, example, who wanted more attend convention organization gain extra purpose. Likewise, already absent observances "[a]ny activity," id., 80, 83, 86, 89, 92, observance." Id., 96, 100. 1978-1979 allowed take prior approval; remaining two advance approval principal. 4 limitations spawned litigation. Until 1976-1977 observed using taking His reduced accordingly.2 1976, however, stopped reasons, began scheduling He several Dissatisfied arrangement, alternatives. preferred observance, effectively giving paid Short suggested observances.3 proposals. 5 1973 complaint Connecticut Commission Human Opportunities Equal Employment Opportunity Teachers. exhausting administrative avenues, Connecticut, business" §§ 703(a)(1), (2) VII, 2000e-2(a)(1), (2), seeking damages injunctive relief.4 6 2-day 7 Second Circuit proceedings. It shows 8 " '(1) she bona fide belief conflicts requirement; informed belief; (3) disciplined failure comply conflicting requirement.' 481 (1985), quoting Turpen Missouri-Kansas-Texas R. Co., 736 1022, 1026 (CA5 1984). 9 held, showing sincere conflicted requirements, aware suffered detriment—namely, loss conflict.5 Philbrook's belief. "[w]here prefers F.2d, 484. 10 certiorari consider important questions federal law presented decision Appeals. 474 1080, 106 848, 88 889 (1986). Specifically, we address erred finding opining must find little statute approach adopted Appeals, agree cannot resolved inquiry. affirm remanding findings. 11 As noted our previous 701(j), language added 1972 amendments floor Senate discussion. Trans World Airlines, Inc. Hardison, 432 63, 74, n. 9, 97 2264, 2271, 53 113 (1977). See 118 Cong.Rec. 705-706 (1972). supra, 84, 2276, determined "undue hardship" whenever results "more de minimis cost" employer. Hardison discharged Saturdays claimed effect impose hardship, occasion bounds context choose simply argued all conceivable agreed. 12 asks us establish analogous developed contexts, Texas Dept. Community Affairs Burdine, 450 248, 101 1089, 67 207 (1981); McDonnell Douglas Corp. Green, 411 792, 1817, 36 668 (1973). But present raises issue. 403 (1983), defendant here Aikens these circumstances place court. "Where done everything if plaintiff properly really did so relevant." 715, S.Ct., 1481. therefore proceed proposed practices comports statutory mandate 701(j). 13 addressing question, alone, court's resolution dispute. "cannot reference hardship." "the Ibid. American Workers Union Postmaster General, 781 772, 776 (CA9 1986) (Title does dictate "an short 'undue hardship,' ."). proposals 14 basis requiring particular accommodation. By very directs sufficient meet obligation. violates "demonstrates [it] reasonably 2000e(j). accommodated needs, inquiry end. illustrates, Once nonetheless demonstrate 15 74-75, 2271-2272, help defining To provides indication congressional intent, think conclusion. Senator Randolph, sponsor amendment became expressed hope "flexibility" "a desire achieve adjustment." 706 Consistent goals, "bilateral cooperation appropriate search acceptable reconciliation needs exigencies Brener Diagnostic Center Hospital, 671 141, 145-146 1982). Workers, 777. articulated given every incentive hold most beneficial despite fact offers conflict. approach, think, views led enactment. employee.6 16 constitutes what question. there exceeded amount agreement, generally one. enacting Congress understandably motivated assure individual opportunity observe practices, costs. provision eliminates conflict requirements give compensation work. Generally speaking, "[t]he direct [unpaid leave] merely income period work; exclusion upon opportunities job status." Nashville Gas Co. Satty, 434 136, 145, 98 347, 353, 54 356 17 except ones. "that parcel relationship doled discriminatory fashion, even free provide benefit all." Hishon King & Spalding, 467 69, 104 2229, 2233-2234, 81 59 (1984). Such arrangement display antithesis reasonableness. Whether teaching turns provisions contends category like provisions, defines purpose Philbrook, hand, asserts limited, operating open-ended wide range addition contract, similar purposes. do record sufficiently clear point findings, latter ordered. 19 20 I Court's that, "for ones," ante, page, unreasonable thus violate VII. specificity possibility activities seeks pursue, necessarily dispositive satisfied affirmative needs. Even restricted specific having similarity activities, still encounter requirements. my view, remain whether, imposing educational program, 21 If, sole meeting their accountants prepare tax returns (a purely activity), return own time might found imminently lacking determination program can withstand absence reasons tends indicate granting request total reasonable, cause hence falls within scope 22 suggests enable hostage exchange Ante, 69. If resolves normally warranted. completely resolve conflict, remains whatever submit. 23 statute, "[b]y terms," relieves continuing employees doing 68. creates accommodate; specify respond whom. Nor am persuaded cited disposes statement sponsored amendment, hoped "accommodation 'flexibility' 'a adjustment,' lends least much concept reading statute. 69 (quoting (1972)). 24 EEOC's guidelines interpretation placing employer.* Just last Term, Meritor Savings Bank Vinson, 477 57, 65, 2399, 2404, 91 49 (1986), expressly relied EEOC guideline sexual harassment charges claim. reluctance accord weight rests nothing selective express guidelines. ----, 6. prohibits respect opportunities, 703(a)(2), 2000e-2(a)(2), "compensation, terms, conditions, privileges employment." 2000e-2(a)(1) (emphasis added). encompassed "employment opportunities." 29 CFR 1605.2(c) forced reduction based violation refusal hire grant promotion. 25 contrary conclusion, 70-71, eliminate Rather, forces following precepts partial forfeiture salary pay. precisely entitles possible program. will mean always best then, end inquiry: employee, turn, another effective causing implement it. 26 analysis (1977), difficult reconcile today. chosen went reject accommodations. course followed well. "Once sometimes exempted valid requirement, .: Did [the employer] exhausted accommodations, alternatives employer's] business?" 91, 2280 (MARSHALL, dissenting) 27 Accordingly, intended reasonableness expected 28 While rejection rationale opinion, reverse judgment. Remanding proceedings unnecessary confusing. analyzed outright claim entitled argument petitioner's policies, while facially neutral, fail beliefs, plainly discloses prevail. 30 * discriminate faith. Section 703(a) 1964 flatly discriminating basing workplace decisions prospective religion. stricture disparate treatment simultaneously extended qualified 701, Act. include "all aspects practice, well imposes employees. when—and when—a arises individual's policy. 31 raising charge immediately onto field Folded certain preliminary inquiries. First, ask obligations obligations. "The definition neutral rule general applicability employee." 87, 2278 dissenting). Absent makes sense speak competing adjustments. arise, correctly holds, way requests long solution reasonable. equally anything strictly 32 existence depend solely nature religion, essential identify alleged possible. faith prevents working schooldays. days; pays though work, declines spends discharging apparent. 33 argues, contractual occasions argues excluding Second, obligation, later—or earlier—perform separate compensation. essence, complete integral duties salaried performed examination merit. II 34 contended discriminated allocation specifically, Properly viewed, alleges cognizable 703 relief. points means wishes allows them activity." face, appear favor reasons. fails, describe 35 union contains generous various stating shall and/or family," specifies including funerals, weddings, graduations, family services, "[m]andated observances" "[n]ecessary character business, limits discretion stating: "Necessary (without limitations): 37 "1. Marriage participation; 38 "2. Day marriage wedding trip; 39 "3. Attendance participation sporting recreational event; "4. Any observance; 40 "5. Travel associated leave; 41 "6. Purposes set forth contract." contend eligible for, actually received, fewer faiths principal mandated adequate care pressing him: activity observance,"1 whereas combination some different ethical commitments. Quite clearly, premise special, is, religious, entitle extraordinary treatment. "discrimination" states grievance equal rather recipient unequal treatment.2 43 comes sharp focus "any observance" seen broader authorized denies proposes her commitments allows. wish thwarted same avid veterans' excess allotted fact, observances—events recur year—whereas cover relatively infrequent contingencies highly probable whole favor, disfavor, persons For atheist attends funeral, graduation receives person events III 44 second "to mitigate burden requirement [he] connection Brief 24.3 founders employment. disciplined, discharged, too many different, inconvenience subjected necessity observance. missed unpaid. Every takes suffers Philbrook; loses day. perform carries over, exercised another, generic shared reason hired occurred, never arose. IV 45 state enables me conclude 703(a). apparently overlooks plain theory hardship," understand why now. required, complies statute.4 saw "past agreement." 71. 46 record, calls satisfy demands curious Icicle Seafoods, Worthington, 475 709, 714, 1527, 1530, 89 739 affect outcome case. administered permissively bearing legally enough purposes.5 historically possibly create 47 respectfully dissent remands incorporated somewhat awkwardly, VII's central unlawful refuse discharge individual, compensation, employment, .," limit, segregate, classify deprive tend adversely status ." 2000e-2(a)(2). illuminate meaning term 'religion' Absence contemplated resulted proportionate deduction pay; 1971, 1/180 deducted unexcused absence. 90, 93, 97, 101. reduce financial costs absences. 1984, $30 day, over $130. policies exercise rights First Amendment. proceedings, Amendment here. Judge Pollack, Senior Southern York sitting designation, dissented. School deprives affects 489. 'discriminate' term. 485, 7. "when disadvantages 1605.2(c)(2)(ii) Though superficially consistent imposed guideline, option significant standard. favored inconsistent have, course, accorded less regulations declared force law. General Electric Gilbert, 429 125, 401, 410, 50 343 (1976); Skidmore Swift 323 134, 139-140, 65 161, 164, L.Ed. 124 (1944). 76, 11, 2272, Guideline states: "(2) When method examining: "(i) labor organization; "(ii) any, Some accommodating disadvantage Therefore, "On after Ansonia's Jewish teacher, away involving fulfilling understanding world around him, serve highest interests community, guidance stability served performing attending church. Solely fulfilled through activity, prohibited them." 16. Denying entirely altogether represents explains: "His parts: class first lesson plan; class; finally review students' classwork. prepares plans reviews substitute. corrects assignments students completed [App. 68-70.] Although docked, substantial fraction compensate him." 24-25. longstanding satisfies accommodate, citing Tenth Circuit's Pinsker Joint 28J, 735 388, 391 (10th Cir.1984). accommodate. presume 'reasonable.' And burden. circumstances, called Where 484 (CA2 1985) modest indicates they treated 1982-1983 131 system 80 none. Plaintiff's Exhibit 18. addition, limiting enumerated Superintendent testified closely monitored. discretion, absence, notify superior 48 hours advance. insures discretionary contract: "Q: you utilized listed separately allotted, action, take? "A: out, day's day." 65. approved superintendent hours' notice. denying nonetheless, docked 54.

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