Tue, 4 May 2010

Christian loses necklace case

A Christian nurse who refused to remove a crucifix during working hours has lost a claim of discrimination against her employers. The nurse, Shirley Chaplin, was moved to a desk-based role after she refused to remove a crucifix necklace. Ms Chaplin was told by an employment tribunal that wearing the cross is not a ‘mandatory requirement’ of her faith.

The requirement to remove necklaces and chains is a health and safety matter, preventing aggressive patients from pulling at the neckwear.

Audrey Williams, head of discrimination at international employment law firm Eversheds, said: ‘Proving unlawful discrimination is no simple matter. And unlike in some other countries – for example the US – there is no general obligation on employers to accommodate an individual’s religious beliefs.’

This is the latest in a series of cases brought by an employee whose religion has brought them into conflict within the workplace.