Nurse loses discrimination case
07/04/2010
A nurse who refused to remove a necklace while at work has lost her claim for religious discrimination.
Shirley Chaplin, 54, is a Christian who claimed that removing her crucifix would "violate her faith", saying she had worn it during the entire 30 years in which she has worked as a nurse.
She took Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust Hospital to an employment tribunal when she was moved to a desk job after refusing to remove the item. The trust had claimed that it moved her because of the risk of patients grabbing the necklace, citing rules covering health and safety.
Employment tribunal panel chairman John Hollow ruled that the trust had tried to reach a compromise in a "reasonable" manner and said any damage caused to Ms Chaplin was "slight". He also pointed out the Christian faith did not require its followers to wear a crucifix.
Mrs Chaplin claimed she was "personally convicted" to wear the crucifix, which she was given when she was confirmed as a Christian in 1971. She said: "I have been a nurse for roughly 30 years and throughout that time I have worn my crucifix. The crucifix is an exceptionally important expression of my faith and my belief in the Lord Jesus Christ."
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