Victory for Religious Liberty: ACLJ Secures Justice for Christian Teen Fired by Megacorporation for Going to Church

In a major victory for religious liberty and working Americans of faith, the ACLJ is pleased to report that we have successfully resolved a critical case involving our client Eli, a Christian teen who was unjustly terminated by General Electric (GE) for exercising his religious convictions.

Eli was a student employed by GE when he made a simple request: to honor his Sabbath and attend church on his designated day of worship. Despite his repeated and respectful efforts to secure a reasonable accommodation, GE refused to accommodate his sincerely held religious beliefs. Instead, they issued “attendance” violations when he missed work on his Sabbath – ultimately firing him for his faith-based decision to attend church.

This blatant violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which protects employees from religious discrimination in the workplace, could not go unanswered. That’s why the ACLJ took swift action. We represented Eli in the EEOC mediation process and made it clear that federal law requires employers to accommodate the religious beliefs of their employees unless doing so would cause undue hardship – a standard set by the Supreme Court in Groff v. DeJoy, which GE clearly failed to meet.

Through that process, we reached a favorable settlement on Eli’s behalf. While the terms remain confidential, this is an undeniable victory – not just for Eli, but for every Christian who wants to live out their faith without fear of retaliation.

This case matters for every American – no matter your state or employer. Whether you work in a small town in the Midwest or a coastal tech hub, the same federal protections apply. If a megacorporation like GE can punish a teenager for going to church, what’s to stop other companies from targeting employees of faith across the country? This win sends a clear message nationwide: Religious liberty is not optional. It’s a right – and the ACLJ is here to defend it.

This case underscores a growing trend where major corporations – under pressure from secular ideologies – are increasingly hostile toward people of faith. But as this outcome shows, the ACLJ is here to fight back and win.

No one should have to choose between their job and faith. And thanks to your ongoing support, we’re ensuring that young believers like Eli are empowered to stand firm – and see justice prevail.

We’re grateful for this outcome and proud to stand with Eli. But the fight for religious liberty in the workplace continues. The ACLJ remains ready to take on corporations, school districts, and even state and federal governments when they trample on the rights of Christians.

Join us. Stand with us. And together, we’ll defend faith and freedom across the country.