In October, we posted an article about a vegetarian who made a religion or belief discrimination claim because he felt “bullied out of the workplace”. In that case, the judge decided that vegetarianism wasn’t protected, but that veganism might be. 
That idea has since been tested in the employment tribunal. Here’s what happened.
Jordi Casamitjana worked for the League Against Cruel Sports. He was worried that his employer’s pension fund included investments in companies that do animal testing. After raising his concerns, he was disciplined and then dismissed for “gross misconduct”.
It’s now January, and many people are giving up alcohol or going vegan for the month. Some even call it Veganuary! But there is a difference between dietary vegans and ethical vegans like Jordi.
Both eat a plant-based diet, but ethical vegans also refuse to wear wool or leather, and won’t use products that are tested on animals. For example, it was reported that Jordi wouldn’t even sit on a leather sofa, nor ride a bus in case it hit insects.
He brought a claim that his dismissal was because he was an ethical vegan, and that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief that should be protected under the Equality Act 2010.
Judge Robin Postle of the Norwich employment tribunal found that ethical veganism should be protected, because it satisfies the required tests, including:
- Worthy of respect in a democratic society
- Not incompatible with human dignity
- Not in conflict with other people’s fundamental rights
The decision means that ethical vegans are indeed protected from discrimination by law, in the same way that religious and political beliefs are.
What this means to you
Are you an ethical vegan who has been discriminated against because of your belief? If so, you might be able to claim for compensation. However, if you’re a dietary vegan for January only, your beliefs are probably not protected.
Please give us a call and we’ll let you know your chance of success and how to make a claim.
Further reading
For more information on this subject, you might find these articles useful:
- Discrimination: Religion and belief
- Religious discrimination
- Are you being discriminated against because of your views about Brexit?
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