ABSTRACT
In a recent case from an Employment Tribunal, a band 5 nurse appealed against her dismissal for initiating discussions about religion with patients. One complaint related to a patient facing bowel resection for cancer, who was told that his survival would be more likely if he prayed to God. Other complaints were less specific, reflecting patients’ irritation or awkwardness at what they saw as unwarranted and unwelcome probing or advice on religious themes. The court noted the nurse's plea that her employer failed to recognise her genuine attempts to comfort her patients. The Court of Appeal upheld the Employment Tribunal's decision to dismiss the nurse. The court made clear the importance of the right to freedom of religion, and found no blanket ban on religious speech in the workplace imposed by her employer. The case provides a timely reminder to all clinicians as to the importance of limiting the expressions of political (and religious) views to those that are appropriate.
