Gary McFarlane appeared at the Bristol Employment Tribunal on 1 and 2 December 2008 claiming that he had been unfairly dismissed, discriminated against on the basis of his religious beliefs, and harassed by Relate - one of the UK's largest counselling services. Mr McFarlane, a committed Christian and father of two, was dismissed by Relate for a perceived failure to comply with its Equal Opportunities Policy regarding the provision of sex therapy to same sex couples. Rather than seeking to accommodate Mr McFarlane's views, Relate took pre-emptive action and dismissed Mr McFarlane on 18 March 2008.
At the hearing Paul Diamond, Mr McFarlane's barrister, argued that Mr McFarlane had been discriminated against for his religious beliefs and that his right to confidentiality with regard to the expression of his views had been seriously breached by Relate employees. At the end of the hearing Relate conceded that they had wrongfully dismissed Mr McFarlane on the grounds of gross misconduct and that he should have been given notice before being dismissed.
The Employment Tribunal will make a decision with regard to the other complaints within the next two weeks. Please pray for a successful result.
Links to media reports:
The Independent
Daily Mail
Daily Telegraph
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/dec/02/1
This is Bristol