An employer is likely to find a wide variety of beliefs held by its employees. We’re all aware that some people hold (and perhaps we share) firm beliefs as regards climate change, and there is certainly a growing trend towards a vegan lifestyle and beliefs. Others may hold beliefs in spiritualism, life after death, and
religious beliefs
Religious belief did not exclude Christian Registrar from civil partnership duties
By Ruth Bonino on
In Ladele v The London Borough of Islington and Liberty, the Court of Appeal has confirmed the decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) that Ms Ladele, a Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths at Islington Council who held strong Christian beliefs, had not suffered discrimination on the grounds of her religion or belief when she was required by the Council to perform same sex civil partnership ceremonies. The Court made it clear that the Council had a legitimate aim to provide the full range of civil partnership services without discrimination and so was entitled to require Ms Ladele to perform the ceremonies despite her objections to doing so based on her Christian belief. Moreover, having been designated a Registrar, it was unlawful under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 for the Ms Ladele to refuse to perform such ceremonies.Continue Reading Religious belief did not exclude Christian Registrar from civil partnership duties