John Hammond was the manager of a flooring business in Phoenix, Ariz., and a long-term employee, when he was abruptly fired because he would not work on Saturdays. As the manager, Hammond had organized the small company’s work force and arranged with the employees for the needed Saturday coverage. To the employer, Saturday work was a test of loyalty, and Hammond failed.

Hammond called upon the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the Pacific Union for assistance with filing a lawsuit. Initially, the case was presented to the North American Division’s Litigation Committee for funding, but was rejected. Continued efforts were made to place this case with an attorney, and eventually, Nicholas Miller agreed to represent Hammond. The Pacific Union committed to pay the expenses of the litigation.

After about two years of legal wrangling, the case has now been successfully settled. “The terms of the settlement are confidential,” said Hammond, “but I am glad I took a principled stand for my right to observe the Sabbath, and I am very pleased with the final outcome. It is a significant victory!” The case was settled for an undisclosed amount of money.

“More and more Seventh-day Adventists need legal help with Sabbath cases, and these cases are straining the resources of our litigation funds,” said Alan Reinach, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty. “John Hammond’s case highlights the need for prompt passage of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act to avoid some of these problems. Hammond ’s case also shows that we can win decisively. In fact, this makes two great settlements in Sabbath cases this year.”