Manifestation Of Religion Or Belief At Work: Guidance For Employers

• Published date: 05 July 2023
• Law Firm: Thomson Snell & Passmore
• Author: Mr Ben Stepney

A case on manifestation of religion and belief in the workplace has recently concluded in the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT).

The Claimant in this case, Mrs Higgs, was a school administrator and work experience manager at a secondary school with academy status in Gloucestershire.

She was dismissed from the school after some of her social media posts on Facebook relating to relationship education in schools and religion led to complaints from parents.

The case provides some useful guidance on assessing the proportionality of interferences with the freedom of expression, and serves as a reminder to employers to keep an up-to-date social media policy.

Facts of the case

Following her dismissal, Mrs Higgs made a claim in the Employment Tribunal (ET) for direct...