Spiritualist wins employment law ruling over dismissal

Posted 13/11/2009

A spiritualist police worker has won a landmark employment law ruling to have his faith recognised under the 2003 Religion and Belief Regulations.

Alan Power is to take Greater Manchester Police Authority to a religious discrimination tribunal after a judge deemed that he should be given legal protection for his beliefs.

Mr Power alleges that he was unfairly dismissed by his employer due to his view that the spirits of the dead can be contacted to aid investigations.

London employment tribunal judge Peter Clark found in favour of the claimant, stating there was “no suggestion that the claimant does not genuinely believe in the tenets of the faith”.

Mr Power has welcomed the decision, which he believes will help to encourage respect for his beliefs.

Unfair dismissal cases are on the rise in the UK, with recent Tribunals Service figures showing a 30 per cent increase in compensation claims for this reason in 2008-09.