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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Eco-employee wins bid to appeal | Eco-employee wins bid to appeal |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| A man has been told he can take his employer to tribunal on the grounds he was unfairly dismissed because of his views on climate change. | A man has been told he can take his employer to tribunal on the grounds he was unfairly dismissed because of his views on climate change. |
| Tim Nicholson, of Oxford, was made redundant in July 2008 from Grainger Plc, Didcot, as head of sustainability. | |
| In March a judge ruled the 41-year-old could use employment equality laws to claim unfair dismissal. | In March a judge ruled the 41-year-old could use employment equality laws to claim unfair dismissal. |
| But the firm appealed against this as it believed his views were political and a "lifestyle choice". | |
| 'Philosophical belief' | |
| Before the judgement, Mr Nicholson said: "My belief in climate change and the urgent need to do something about it is based on science. | Before the judgement, Mr Nicholson said: "My belief in climate change and the urgent need to do something about it is based on science. |
| "One of the arguments made in the recent appeal hearing is that it would be illogical if there was protection afforded to a religious belief, say creationism, that perhaps isn't based on science, but Darwinism that very clearly is based on science is not afforded that same protection." | "One of the arguments made in the recent appeal hearing is that it would be illogical if there was protection afforded to a religious belief, say creationism, that perhaps isn't based on science, but Darwinism that very clearly is based on science is not afforded that same protection." |
| Mr Nicholson was given permission in March to make his claim under the Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003 that covers "any religion, religious belief, or philosophical belief". | |
| But the ruling was challenged by Grainger on the grounds that green views are not the same as religious or philosophical beliefs. | |
| Mr Nicholson claims that his opinions affect his whole lifestyle. He does not travel by plane and has renovated his home to be more eco-friendly. | |
| The firm maintains that environmental views are political and a "lifestyle choice" which cannot be compared to religion or philosophy. |