An Employment Tribunal has ruled that a Roman Catholic nurse faced unfair discrimination and harassment for refusing to stop wearing a cross necklace at work.
Mary Onuoha, the UK-based Nigerian, was forced to leave her job at Croydon University Hospital in June 2020 and thereafter sued the hospital’s NHS Trust.
“This has always been an attack on my faith. My cross has been with me for more than 40 years. It is part of me, and my faith, and it has never caused anyone any harm,” she told the Mail.
The Tribunal claimed that her human rights were breached and “created a humiliating, hostile and threatening environment.”
“Equally, no real thought was given to the claimant’s point that others were wearing religious apparel in clinical areas and that she should be treated equally to them,” it added.
The judges also stated that this represented a broader campaign against Christians wearing religious symbols.
“There is biblical teaching imploring Christians to be open about their faith and not to hide it,” the judges concluded.
