Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School

**What Happened:** The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School on behalf of Cheryl Perich, a teacher who claimed the school fired her in retaliation for asserting her rights under disability laws. Perich had taken medical leave for a disability and later tried to return to work. When the school refused to reinstate her, she threatened legal action. The school then fired her, and she filed complaints alleging retaliation and disability discrimination. **What the Court Decided:** The court ruled entirely in favor of the church school. The judge found that Perich was protected by the "ministerial exception" - a legal principle that prevents courts from interfering in religious organizations' employment decisions regarding their ministers and religious teachers. Because of this exception, the school could not be held liable for retaliation or disability discrimination. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This case shows that employees at religious institutions who perform ministerial or religious teaching duties have fewer workplace protections than other workers. Even if these employees face retaliation or discrimination, courts may not be able to help them if the employer can claim religious freedom protections.