In a high-profile case concerning the religious discrimination claims of four United Kingdom-based practicing Christians, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Jan. 15 provided landmark guidance on how the right of religious freedom applies in the workplace.
Nadia Eweida, a check-in staff member for British Airways, and Shirley Chaplin, a nurse, each faced employer restrictions on their visible donning of cross necklaces. Lillian Ladele, a marriage registrar, and Gary McFarlane, a sex and relationship counselor, were terminated after Ladele refused to conduct civil partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples and McFarlane refused to work with gay and bisexual clients.
