Sherbert v Verner

Facts

Adeil Sherbert, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was fired from her job after she refused to work on Saturday, the Sabbath Day of her faith. The South Carolina Employment Security Commission denied her benefits, finding unacceptable her religious justification for refusing Saturday work.

Issue

Did the denial of unemployment compensation violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments?

Judgement

7-2 Sherbert

Holding

The Free Exercise Clause mandates strict scrutiny for unemployment compensation claims.

Conclusion

Yes. The Court held that the state's eligibility restrictions for unemployment compensation imposed a significant burden on Sherbert's ability to freely exercise her faith. Furthermore, there was no compelling state interest which justified such a substantial burden on this basic First Amendment right.