Perich

Ms. Perich and the federal EEOC sued for backpay, reinstatement and damages.

Hosannas for the Court 2012

"Perich held herself out as a minister of the Church by accepting the formal call to religious service," the chief justice wrote.

Justices: Ex-Worker Can't Sue Church Jess Bravin 2012

Ms. Perich held the title and had some religious duties, such as leading students in prayer, though she mainly taught secular subjects such as math and music.

Justices: Ex-Worker Can't Sue Church Jess Bravin 2012

Because the duties of lay and called teachers are identical, a federal appeals court in Cincinnati concluded that Ms. Perich fell outside any ministerial exemption.

Justices: Ex-Worker Can't Sue Church Jess Bravin 2012

Ms. Perich took a disability leave after being diagnosed with narcolepsy.

Justices: Ex-Worker Can't Sue Church Jess Bravin 2012

During her time at the school, Ms. Perich taught a curriculum that included math, social studies and music.

Work, Pray, Sue 2011

The case centers on Cheryl Perich, who in 2004 took a medical leave from her job as a parochial-school teacher in Redford, Michigan.

Work, Pray, Sue 2011

The Lutheran church considers that a violation of its own internal dispute resolution, and Ms. Perich was terminated by a supermajority vote of the church's congregation.

Work, Pray, Sue 2011

Ms. Perich and the EEOC then sued the school for back pay and damages as well as her rehiring.

Work, Pray, Sue 2011

In the case decided Wednesday, the court ruled against Cheryl Perich, who had been fired from her teaching job at the Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Redford, Mich.

Justices: Ex-Worker Can't Sue Church Jess Bravin 2012