A guest post by Russell Sandberg

An Employment Tribunal has confirmed in a preliminary hearing, in Jackson v Lidl [2020] ET 2302259/2019/V (2-3 September 2020), that Stoicism is capable of being a philosophical belief for the purpose of the Equality Act 2010. It struck out one claim of direct discrimination on grounds of religion or belief while a further claim and a claim for indirect discrimination will now go to a full hearing.

The preliminary hearing judgment does not include the facts of the case but, according to press reports, Jackson was sacked by Lidl for offending colleagues. He brought complaints of wrongful dismissal, unpaid wages, direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of sex, disability, race and religion or belief, an equal pay claim and victimisation claims. This preliminary hearing concerned the religion or belief, disability and equal pay claims. This note will focus only on the religion or belief claims. Continue reading →