Legislation update: Climate change and philosophical beliefs
Posted by Richard White in Employment law on Tue, 23/06/2009 - 11:32
In the recent case of Nicholson v Grainger PLC and others, the employment tribunal held that Mr Nicholson’s belief in climate change could amount to a philosophical belief within the meaning of the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 ('the regulations').
Mr Nicholson was dismissed as head of sustainability by Grainger PLC, purportedly by reason of redundancy. Mr Nicholson believed that the real reason for the dismissal was his beliefs in regards to climate change and a number of protected disclosures he had made in this respect. He brought a number of claims, including unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief.
- A tribunal held an employee's claim that his belief in climate change amounts to a philosophical belief
- Employee was dismissed due to redundancy but this was disputed by the employee
- Employee brought a claim under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003
- Prior to this case, tribunals tended to take a narrower approach to the interpretation of a belief
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